A True Hall Of Famer!

I always get choked up when I read the statement of principles published by the founder of National Underwriter, E. Jay Wohlgemuth, who launched the publication as “Ohio Underwriter” back in 1897. The man who stressed ethics and took the side of the customer long before there were risk managers or consumer advocates to protect buyers is being honored today with induction into the Insurance Media Hall Of Fame. Read on for what Mr. Wohlgemuth still means to NU, and to the industry we cover.

Mr. Wohlgemuth was a pioneer in business-to-business journalism by standing up for the customer in his coverage of the industry. His own words set the standard for NU to this day.

Where the interests of the insurance business and the public which it serves, conflicts–after making every possible effort to harmonize those intereststhe National Underwriter believes that the best interests in the insurance business are served by taking the stand of the public, Mr. Wohlgemuth said.

In the final analysis, he added, the insurance business can only be successful if it is conducted on the basis of the truest and best service of which it is capable to its clients and the public. This is a fundamental principle and the one which has kept the National Underwriter from being a mere paid organ of special interests. Its policies are based on the broad foundation of good citizenship and the recognition that insuranceas well as all other businessexists primarily not for the people who are engaged in it, but for the people whom they serve.

How many companies in any industry would make that statement with a straight face today? We still try our best to live by it.

Our president, Andy Goodenough, will accept the honor during a meeting in New York City of the Insurance Media Association. As the one entrusted with leading National Underwriters growth into the 21st century, I am grateful for the foundation of integrity and reputation for editorial independence and excellence established by E. Jay Wohlgemuth over a century ago,” he said.

The Insurance Media Association is pleased to be able to recognize the lifetime achievement of E. Jay Wohlgemuth, said Walter B. Podgurski, CEO of InsuranceBroadcasting.com. The organization he founded and helped build unquestionably crafted the innovations and set the standard for insurance media as the industry and medium developed, serving as a model and inspiration for those that followed.”

Although I never had the privilege of meeting Mr. Wohlgemuth, I'm honored to edit the publication he created over a century ago, and to be entrusted with maintaining the standards he laid down for independent journalism these past 26 years.

Knowing where we came from at NU keeps us focused on where we're going, whether in print or over the Web. Ethics and integrity never go out of style.