1949
1950
Deane C. Davis is elected President
Attorney Deane C. Davis is elected President.
National Life’s 100th Anniversary Book
1952
National Life Recreation Association chartered
The National Life Recreation Association obtains a charter from the State of Vermont to open the National Life Employees Credit Union. In 2002 it becomes the Granite Hills Credit Union.
1953
1,000,000th policy
Dora E. Paradee, age 17, of Fairfield, Vermont, purchases policy #1,000,000. Her occupation is listed as “farm girl.”
The company begins to again use “of Vermont” on letterhead and other materials.
1954
15 acres to the City of Montpelier
The company offers 15 acres of the National Life Recreation Field to the City of Montpelier for free if they build a new high school there within two years.
1955
Company considers moving out of Montpelier
Coleman Life Insurance Company is chartered as a legal reserve carrier separate from the Coleman Mutual Aid Society.
The National Life gold seal logo, introduced in 1954, makes its first significant appearance in the Annual Report.
The company considers moving out of Montpelier.
1956
National Life Will Stay
National Life announces the decision to stay in Montpelier in 1956, and puts its land for a proposed home office near Burlington up for sale.
Executive Committee votes to place no restrictions on insuring the lives of African-Americans.
1959
Spanish speaking expansion
Executive Vice President L. Douglas Meredith states that the company needs to expand its business into the Spanish speaking world. The legal reserve Coleman Company re-insures the mutual Coleman Aid Society.
Image: Soil from all 48 states and 2 territories
1960
Current Home Office is dedicated
The Current Home Office is dedicated and occupied with 550 employees. The “N” in National Life for the large sign on the roof is installed. Originally a red neon sign, the electricity was turned off during the 1973 energy crisis.
The story of Home Office #7
1961
Lobby mural by Paul Sample is dedicated
The lobby mural by Paul Sample is dedicated. A Remington-Rand Univac STEP computer costing $250,000 is installed on the fourth floor. A first for Vermont.
Deane C. Davis, President of National Life is named life insurance “Man of the Year” by The Insurance Field, a biweekly newspaper.
1962
The Coleman Mutual Aid Society becomes Life Insurance of the Southwest
The Coleman Mutual Aid Society becomes Life Insurance of the Southwest.
1965
Deane C. Davis is named Chairman of the Board
Deane C. Davis is named Chairman of the Board.
1966
Dr. John T. Fey becomes President
Dr. John T. Fey becomes President.
1968
Equity Services Incorporated (ESI) forms
Equity Services Incorporated (ESI) forms, heralding National Life’s entrance to the Variable Annuity market. Four members of the Home Office are killed in crash of Northeast Airlines Flight #946. They are memorialized on a plaque in the company cafeteria.
1969
Deane C. Davis becomes 74th Governor of Vermont
Deane C. Davis becomes 74th Governor of Vermont serving until 1973.
First mainframe computer (RCA) is installed in Home Office. Catherine Burns announces her retirement from National Life after 47 years, second longest in company history to that point.
A deal to locate a Howard Johnson’s motel on National Life property collapses, despite tax breaks from the City of Montpelier and low lease rates from National Life. The Hopkins Guest House is built instead.
1971
National Life enters the Disability Income market
National Life enters the Disability Income market.
The Keypact by Computone
1973
Pension Department created
Pension Department created. Director is Irwin (Bro) Park, Jr.