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Vermont Mutual Insurance Group, at one time affectionately known as “The Old Vermont, ” is among the oldest mutual insurance companies in the United States. It’s beginnings may be traced all the way back to Nov 10, 1827 when it first received its Legislative Charter. It was a little more than two months later, on January 21, 1828, that the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company officially opened its doors to the public.
Vermonter Daniel Baldwin, founded the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company as a means to protect his fellow citizens from financial ruin. With fireplaces, candles and oil lamps in nearly every home and business, fire was a prominent danger. And while the idea of a mutual insurance company was not new, there was no such company in the state of Vermont.
Born in Norwich, Vermont in 1792 and orphaned at the age of 2, Daniel Baldwin and his brother, Sylvanus, were brought up by relatives in Berlin, Vermont. The two brothers were generally regarded as both daring and ambitious. And while Sylvanus applied his energy to creating and promoting various engineering projects, brother Daniel turned his to the founding of Vermont Mutual.
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Well known in the Montpelier business and civic scene, Daniel bought a small store early in his career and operated it for 34 years. He joined the local fire company, which he helped to reorganize and later headed up as chief engineer.
He also worked actively to promote an adequate water supply for the town—perhaps, in part, to help put out fires more speedily. He served on the directorates of the Bank of Montpelier and the Central Vermont Railroad, and as an organizer and manager of Montpelier Gas & Light.
In 1820, he married Emily Wheelock, granddaughter of the founder of Dartmouth College, and began raising a family. He died in 1881, at the age of 89.
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For the first four years of its existence, the office of Vermont Mutual resided in the small wooden clapboard home of its secretary, Joshua Vail. Reportedly there was no safe for securing money, and for a time, cash was secretly stored in a hole in one the floorboards.
Vermont Mutual’s second home was Daniel Baldwin’s single-story, “fire-proof” brick home. Years later a second story was added (incidentally, it was within those very walls that the National Life Insurance Company began its business back in 1850.)
By 1869 the “Old Vermont” had grown to such an extent that a larger building was required. At a cost of $36, 280.60, a new building was constructed that remains in Montpelier to this very day.
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Vermont Mutual’s office remained within those walls until 1954, when they moved to their present day office at 89 State Street, on the very same property that the original clapboard structure resided back in 1828.
Built in 1810, the Federal-style building was one of the first houses on State Street in Montpelier. In 1954, a 106 foot, 2-story addition was added to the rear of the building to house ever-expanding staff. In 1986, as Vermont Mutual continued to grow, a 4-story building was added next door. In October of 2011, an expansive 12, 000 square foot facility was constructed in Berlin, Vermont, to bring the total square footage of the Vermont Mutual offices to 50, 000 square feet. Through these offices, Vermont Mutual is able to effectively and efficiently serve over 300, 000 policyholders.Daniel C. Bridge, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, joined Vermont Mutual in 2009 and is an industry veteran of nearly 30 years. He was previously employed in senior management positions both regionally across New England and nationally. Dan brings experience in Underwriting, Marketing and Distribution, Product Development and Pricing, Information Technology and Strategic Planning. He has served on several boards and committees, including AIPSO, Massachusetts and Rhode Island Property Insurance Underwriting Associations (FAIR Plans), Mutual Fire Insurance Association, and the Vermont Business Roundtable. Most recently, Dan has lead the Marketing, Underwriting, IT and Research & Development functions at Vermont Mutual.
Mark McDonnell, CPCU, CIC, AIM, AAM, AIT, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, joined Vermont Mutual in 2014. He has worked in the insurance industry for almost 30 years, most recently managing personal lines sales for a national carrier. There he also served as President of the company’s Attorney-in-Fact for two reciprocal insurers in New York and New Jersey. Prior to that, Mark held positions of increasing authority in Operations, Customer Service, Underwriting and Marketing with several regional and national carriers. He currently serves on the Ethics Committee of the National CPCU Society and IIABA’s Council for Best Practices and has served on the boards of several community organizations and industry panels during his career.
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Brody Gilbert, CPA, Vice President & Treasurer, joined Vermont Mutual in 2017. Prior to joining Vermont Mutual he held senior management positions at Bluestone Life Insurance Company and Arbella Insurance Group. Gilbert started his insurance finance career at PwC, spending 13 years in various posts within PwC’s National Insurance Practice.
Jonathan Becker, Vice President Underwriting, joined Vermont Mutual in May of 2020. Prior to joining Vermont Mutual Insurance Group he was Regional Vice President and Branch Manager of a New England-based commercial property and casualty insurance company. Jonathan began his insurance career nearly 25 years ago and has held positions in underwriting at Chubb, Travelers and Fireman’s Fund, as well as roles in marketing, loss control, claims and policy rating.
William Cahill, CPCU, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, joined Vermont Mutual in June of 2020. Bill has more than 35 years of insurance industry experience, which includes marketing and underwriting roles early in his career and nearly 30 years as legal counsel at a New England-based national insurer. In addition to his involvement in national initiatives, regionally he has served on the Governing Committee of Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (C.A.R.), as Director of the Massachusetts Insurers Insolvency Fund and has been active with the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (FAIR Plan).
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David DeLuca, CPCU, Vice President – Claims, joined Vermont Mutual in January 2003. He has been working in the insurance business for over 28 years. Prior to joining Vermont Mutual, David held a series of progressively responsible regional and home office positions with other carriers. He is a member of the CPCU Society, Loss Executives Association, Boston Association of Claims Executives, Vermont Adjuster’s Association and a Fellow in the CLM.
Shaun P.T. Farley, Vice President – Marketing, joined Vermont Mutual in December 2012. A thirty year veteran of the insurance industry, Shaun most recently was the COO for a large Insurance Agency in New Hampshire. Prior positions held include Senior VP of Insurance Services at a Large Credit Union and President of an Independent Insurance Agency in Massachusetts.
, joined Vermont Mutual as Chief Information Officer in July of 2022 He leads our Information Technology initiatives and team. Rich has extensive experience in insurance and technology, most recently holding both Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer positions at Liberty Mutual.
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Sarah Young, Vice President – Human Resources, joined Vermont Mutual in October 2011. Sarah has held several leadership roles since joining Vermont Mutual, including both Commercial and Personal Underwriting Manager. She serves as Executive Director of the Vermont Mutual Charitable Giving Fund, and is a founding member of the Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Committee.
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