Ex-Nationwide CEO Jeffers Dead At 94

NU Online News Service, Oct. 29, 11:55 a.m. EDT

Columbus, Ohio--based insurer Nationwide said its former general chairman and chief executive officer Dean W. Jeffers has died at the age 94.

Nationwide said Mr. Jeffers held the post of general chairman and chief executive officer from 1972 to 1981. Under his tenure the company tripled its assets and extended operations.

A well-known business leader admired in the insurance industry and the community, Nationwide said Mr. Jeffers left an indelible mark on the city of Columbus through his efforts to revitalize downtown, including the construction of Nationwide's world headquarters.

"The central Ohio community and the Nationwide family lost one of our finest leaders today," said Nationwide CEO Steve Rasmussen in a statement. "His leadership enabled Nationwide to grow into the great company it is today and his values set a course for this company's commitment to the communities we live in and the people we employ."

Mr. Jeffers was born Sept. 7, 1916, near Woodsfield, Ohio. He held a bachelor's degree in education from Ohio University and he also attended Western Reserve University.

After marrying his wife of 52 years, Ruthe Workman, and beginning his career as a teacher, he started selling auto insurance in 1940 as a part-time agent for Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (which was renamed Nationwide in 1955). He worked his way up through the company with various positions in claims, actuarial, underwriting, marketing and field operations.

He was named vice president of sales in 1956, a job he held for more than a dozen years. Mr. Jeffers was named vice president of marketing in 1964. He was named Nationwide's president and general manager in 1969.

Nationwide noted that he was particularly proud of his sales role, adding, "Nothing happens before you make a sale." He was often referred to as "Nationwide's Number One Salesman."

After taking the helm as CEO, Mr. Jeffers made the decision to build the new Nationwide headquarters in what was then a blighted area of north downtown, near the Ohio Penitentiary and across the street from the current headquarters.

Mr. Jeffers believed Nationwide could make a major contribution to the growth of Columbus by building downtown and revitalizing the area. His decision to create the $80 million One Nationwide Plaza served as a catalyst for a rebirth and led to the development of some major city buildings including the Nationwide Arena.

A distinguished leader and spokesman for the insurance industry, Mr. Jeffers served as a director of the American Council of Life Insurance (ACLI) and chaired the ACLI Committee on Economic Policy. He was a director and chairman of the Health Insurance Association of America, and a member of the Property-Casualty Insurance Council.

Mr. Jeffers was committed to community service and served as chairman or board member on a number of community organizations and received many honors for this contribution. He also served on the boards of a number of companies.

Mr. Jeffers is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Phillip Dean Jeffers, and Kelsey Jeffers; sister, Nina Yoss of Woodsfield, Ohio; one niece and two nephews; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

According to Highline Data, a Summit Business Media Company that also owns National Underwriter, Nationwide Insurance Group is the eighth largest property and casualty insurer in the United States.