About Us
Mutual of Indiana is an Indiana Company and is owned and operated by the policyholders. Mutual Insurance is the oldest and most stable form of insurance in the United States. The oldest insurance company in America was a Mutual Fire Company organized by Benjamin Franklin in 1752, twenty-four years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
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Our History
Stability
Mutual of Indiana Insurance Company was organized in January 1897 and has been in continuous operation since that date. The company has striven to maintain an adequate safety fund as a safeguard against unfavorable experience and contingency which may arise. In addition to the safety fund, the company also carries a reinsurance program.
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Mutual of Indiana is licensed to write fire, lightning, extended coverage, multiperil and wind insurance in Indiana.
Territory
Board of Directors
Susan Taggart
CEO Chief Operating Officer
Susan Taggart, CEO, has been with Mutual of Indiana Insurance Company located in Lafayette, Indiana since 1994. Ms. Taggart holds a bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s of the Plains in Kansas. She also earned two Associates Degrees: one in accounting and one in Business Management. She has her agents license, PFMM designation, and FMDC designation.
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Susan has been serving on the Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Board of Directors in Grinnell, Iowa since 2011 and is currently the 2nd Chair. She also serving on the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) Board of Directors. In the past, she served as the Chairman of the NAMIC Farm Mutual Conference Board of Directors, NAMIC Merit Society Board of Directors, Merit Society Scholarship committee, NAMIC PAC Board of Directors, NAMIC PFMM of the year committee, NAMIC Benchmarking committee, NAMIC Convention planning committee, and was a past Chairman of NAMIC Farm Mutual Forum. She also participates in the NAMIC Congressional Contact Program. She received the NAMIC Service award in 2019. Susan’s involvement in her state association, she is past President of the Board of Directors of the Mutual Insurance Company Association of Indiana (MICAI), and served on the state convention planning committee, nominating committee, and the auditing committee. Susan strives to consistently grow the business yet keep that small-town company touch.
Jeremy Brown was elected to the Mutual of Indiana Insurance Company’s Board of Directors on May 3, 2011. Since his time on the Board of Directors, Jeremy has served as the Secretary-Treasurer and the President-Chairman. Jeremy has earned an Associate degree from Ivy Tech Community College in Business Management, a bachelor’s degree from the School of Technology at Purdue University, and a Certificate of Innovation & Entrepreneurship from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University. Mr. Brown earned his Farm Mutual Director Certification through the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) in 2013, and is a contributor to both the NAMIC PAC and the Mutual Insurance Company Association of Indiana (MICAI) PAC. He also serves on the MICAI planning committee.
Jeremy Brown
Director
Director
Sherman Hughes
Sherman Hughes has served as a director since January 1992 and has been a policyholder since 1978. He has served as Chairman on the Dearborn County Farm Bureau Board and is a Board of Director for the Forage and Livestock Association of Historic Hoosier Hills. He attended Purdue University with a degree in Agriculture Education. Sherman earned his Farm Mutual Director Certification through the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) in 2022. Sherman is a contributor to the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) PAC and the Mutual Insurance Company Association of Indiana (MICAI) PAC.
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Sherman lives in Dillsboro, Indiana with his wife, Muriel, and has three children and 5 grandchildren. He serves as a lay Pastor in his church. Sherman taught school for 8 years; 3 years in elementary and served as acting principal and 5 years in high school. Sherman also worked for an international fertilizer company for sixteen years. He is a self-employed farmer and is currently in his 16th year as Trustee for Caesar Creek Township of Dearborn County.
Murray Marshall was elected to the Mutual of Indiana Insurance Company’s Board of Directors on April 13, 2012. Murray earned his bachelor’s Degree from Purdue University and is also a graduate of the National Commercial Lending School. Mr. Marshall is a contributor to both the NAMIC PAC and the Mutual Insurance Company Association of Indiana (MICAI) PAC.
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Murray lives in West Lafayette, Indiana and has two children. He is currently the Vice President and Commercial Banking Officer with Lafayette Bank & Trust in Lafayette, Indiana. He has worked in the banking industry since 1975, holding previous Commercial Lending positions at Salin Bank for 10 ½ years as well as Bank One for 22 years. He has volunteered his time to the Purdue Track & Field program and has held positions on the Board of Directors of Tippecanoe County Child Care and Lafayette Business-toBusiness.
Murray Marshall
Director
Gene McGowen II
Director
L. Gene McGowen has been a Mutual of Indiana policyholder since 2008. Since his time on the Board of Directors, Gene has served as the Secretary-Treasurer and the President-Chairman of the Board of Directors. Gene attended Purdue University studying Business Management. Mr. McGowen earned his Farm Mutual Director Certification through the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) in 2015. Gene is a contributor to the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) PAC and the Mutual Insurance Company Association of Indiana (MICAI) PAC.
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Gene lives in Williamsport, Indiana and has two daughters, one son, and three grandsons. Gene is owner and President of Millennium Supply, Inc. and Millennium Real Estate. In the past Gene has been a member of the Board of Directors with the Warren County Community Foundation. Gene’s background of financial management through owning and managing his own businesses for the past 35 years will allowGene to contribute to the success of the Mutual, its financial stability, and continued prosperity
Donald Putt
Director
Don Putt has been a Mutual of Indiana Insurance Company policyholder since 1973 and was elected to the Board of Directors on April 7, 2000. During his time on the Board of Directors, Don has served as the 2 nd Vice President and as Vice President. Mr. Putt earned his Farm Mutual Director Certification through the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) in 2012, and is a contributor to both the NAMIC PAC and the Mutual of Insurance Company Association of Indiana (MICAI) PAC.
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Don lives in Remington, Indiana with his wife Sandy. They have two daughters and four grandchildren. He has been involved in farming all his life and has been a farm owner and operator since 1970. Don was a past Board Member for the Farm Bureau Co-op and the Jasper County Fair. He is currently a trustee on the Welsh Cemetery Board.
Cecil Zacher has been a policyholder with Mutual of Indiana Insurance Company since 1963 and was elected to their Board of Directors on April 7, 2000. During his time on the board, Cecil has served as Vice President and as Secretary-Treasurer. Mr. Zacher earned his Farm Mutual Director Certification through the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) in 2012. Cecil is a contributor to both the NAMIC PAC and the Mutual of Insurance Company Association of Indiana (MICAI) PAC.
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Cecil lives in Rensselaer, Indiana with his wife Josie. They have two children and four grandchildren. Cecil served in the Army National Guard and is now retired from a 50-year career as a full-time farmer. Cecil has also served on the Newton Township Board of Directors. He was a past Council Member of the Jasper County 4-H and has served as a Trustee on the Church Committee where he attends services.
Cecil Zacher
Director