National Life is strong and healthy as it turns 170 years old.
That was the message CEO Mehran Assadi delivered at several celebrations marking the anniversary.
National Life Group celebrates its 170th anniversary in Dallas.
The Vermont Legislature approved the charter for National Life Insurance Company on November 13, 1848.
The company celebrated with a reception last week in Dallas and this week in Vermont as well as an all employee meeting on Tuesday, the official birthdate.
“You can get to 170 years old while you are limping along or in a position of prominence,” said Mehran at the employee meeting.
“I believe there are periods in the life of any company where they take their game to a totally different level – a different level of prominence from relevance. You have achieved that.
“What we have done collectively is to ensure the existence of this company as we move forward,” he said. “That’s your contribution to this 170 year old company.”
“This is an organization that is just gearing up, just warming up.”
The evening reception in Vermont brought out employees, their families, retirees and community leaders.
The commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, Michael Piechiak, brought greetings from the state of Vermont, saying that National Life is an important part of the Vermont economy – and is a leader in doing good in our communities.
David Coates, the longest serving member of the National Life Board of Directors, told the gathering that he bought his first National Life policy 60 years ago while he was a senior at Champlain College.
National Life Group celebrates its 170th anniversary with an appearance by company founder Dr. Julius Dewey, second from left, in Montpelier on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. Also seen are, from left, Mehran Assadi, chairman, CEO and president of National Life Group; Dr. Dewey; Michael Pieciak, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation; and David Coates, one of the company’s directors.
He also noted that he has known half of the 16 CEOs of the company and talked about the dramatic changes he has seen over the past 25 years. David said that in the 1990s the survival of the company itself was uncertain but now it is strong and the future is bright.
Also attending the evening reception was board member Jim Douglas, a former governor of Vermont.