Federated names Mankato office building in honor of Fetters

During a dedication ceremony Tuesday, Federated Insurance named its office building located at 2000 Technology Drive in Mankato the “Jeffrey E. Fetters Building” in honor of its chairman, Jeff Fetters.

Fetters will retire at the end of 2024, bringing to a close an impressive 45-year career with the company.

The event, which was attended by the Federated Insurance Companies Board of Directors and executive staff, as well as Fetters’ colleagues, friends, and family members, included the unveiling of a dedication plaque and speeches from Fetters’ children Ben Fetters and Ashley Fetters Maloy; Federated Insurance President and CEO Nick Lower; and President and Owner of Exclusively Diamonds Sarah Person. Person is also a member of the company’s Board of Directors and a Mankato resident.

“I am deeply honored to have my name associated with this building,” said Jeff Fetters. “Mankato has been an excellent fit for Federated, playing a pivotal role in our strategic expansion. The Mankato community has also welcomed us in and has been an integral part of our journey. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has supported Federated along the way.”

Fetters joined Federated Insurance as a marketing representative in Valparaiso, Indiana, in 1980. He went on to hold all marketing management positions prior to being appointed Executive Vice President – Director of Insurance Operations, Chief Operating Officer and President, and then Chief Executive Officer in 2009. He was appointed Chairman of the Board of the Federated Insurance Companies on Dec. 1, 2012.

During his tenure as chairman, the company achieved 12 consecutive years of double-digit profitable growth, strengthened its commitment to providing value through risk management and remaining an association member benefit, and nearly doubled its number of commercial policyholders.

“His inspiring leadership throughout his career has driven our company to a place of national prominence, with exceptional financial strength and a mission focused to support our clients’ continued success through exceptional specialized value-added services and risk management,” said Nick Lower, Federated Insurance President and CEO, who will take over as chairman upon Fetters’ retirement.

For more than a decade, Fetters and his late wife, Marty, served as co-chairs of the Federated Challenge, the company’s annual fundraising event benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters. Under their leadership, the Federated Challenge grew into the largest private charity event in the state. He also championed investment and community engagement in both Mankato and the company’s headquarter city of Owatonna.

“Jeff has created an extraordinary legacy here at Federated Insurance worthy of celebration and recognition” said Lower. “Every milestone achieved during his tenure as Chairman brought forth tremendous benefit for our policyholders, association partners, employees, and communities.”