Retirements

It seems hard to believe it is time to retire after 35 years at Federated. A lot has changed over the years – especially within IS. When I started working in 1990, we had no internet, no email, and no electronic documents. Phone and routing slips were our main means of communication. It has been fun to not just watch but take part in the changes across our company – I have had my fingers in a little bit of everything – Life MIB Ordering, UWS, MVR System, CSI and what we now call FWA. It has been a wild ride, and I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had to make a difference in our company.

Everybody says this, but it is the people that make working at Federated so special. I have worked on multiple teams over the years and gotten to know people from many aspects of the business. I have been fortunate to work with many talented individuals on projects during my career. I will miss my regular interactions with my Federated friends, but I hope to continue to see many of you around town as I plan to remain in Owatonna.

My plans for retirement include doing some much-needed work around my townhome, getting out biking and walking more and exploring of my artistic side with drawing and painting.

Just over 35 years ago, I started in the Life Marketing Department which was then located on 1st floor of the CIBII building. A few years later I transferred to the Marketing Administration department and have never left the 1st floor of CIBII. I’ve had many different titles since then but have always worked with field marketing incentives and compensation. I have really enjoyed the challenges and opportunities to solve problems, train and develop others, and make processes easier. I’ll be forever grateful for Dan Lewis and Paul Peterson who believed in me and supported me. And for everyone on the Marketing Admin team – current and past – who supported me throughout my career. 

Some of my favorite memories are two trips to the cabin, a fantastic trip to Mauldin Creek, Adopt a Family with the CIBII 1st Floor, and some of the fun antics with team members for Halloween, United Way challenges, and while preparing for Chairman’s Council. I also sincerely treasure the friendships I’ve made with many current and retired field marketers as well as the marketing assistants located around the country. 

I didn’t grow up in Owatonna, but my husband Mark (Federated retiree) and I have raised our family here and will continue to call this home. Our closest friends come from the Federated family, and we look forward to staying connected. We plan to continue our travels around the country and the world and stay active. I am very thankful for Federated and the flexibility and benefits it has provided to make that possible. 

I moved around quite a bit at Federated, starting June 25, 1990, in the Tampa claims office as an office adjuster. In March 1993, I moved to a Field Adjuster in Charleston, SC. In July 1994, I was promoted to the Minneapolis office as a Claims Examiner. In January 1997, we relocated to Owatonna, MN as a Home Office Claims Supervisor in Work Comp. In May 1998, we moved to Des Moines, IA where I was an Assistant Health Claims Manager.

My last move was to Indianapolis in August 2000 when I took the role as a Work Comp Claims Supervisor in Indianapolis. I was promoted in December 2003 to Regional Claims Manager in Indianapolis and stayed in that role until I was promoted to my current position in February 2023.

My best memories at Federated involve all the relationships and friendships I maintained over the years because of the different roles I held. My two fishing trips to the Fed Cabin really stand out because they were trips, I never would have taken on my own.

My plans after retirement include more golf, traveling, and reconnecting with family, friends, and former coworkers. I will forever be grateful for the life and opportunities Federated has given me and my family.