1974
1974
Norman Campbell becomes President
Norman Campbell becomes President.
1975
Sculptor delivers carving
Sculptor Lothar Wuerslin of Sandgate, Vermont, delivers his carving of Dr. Julius Dewey created from laminated basswood.
1976
US LIFE Mutual Funds Management Corp. is purchased
National Life Investment Management Co. purchases US LIFE Mutual Funds Management Corp., which becomes Sentinel Advisors.
1977
Richard Fricke becomes President
Richard Fricke becomes President.
1978
New main frame computer comes online
National Life’s new main frame computer the Univac 90/80-3 comes online.
1979
Modular office set ups
Modular office set ups replace lines of desks in the Home Office.
Electronic communications, which were an early form of email, come to National Life.
1981
Three new subsidiaries are formed
Three new subsidiaries are formed and incorporated: Champlain Life, Vermont Life, and National Pension Life.
1982
Contact Weekly is launched
A new publication, Contact Weekly, is launched for Home Office employees to be delivered each Friday on the mail cart. Eventually, this replaces Contact magazine in a far less expensive format.
1983
Uniflex is introduced
Uniflex is introduced as National Life’s first venture into universal life insurance.
1984
LIFE program encourages healthy life styles
The LIFE (Lifestyle Improvement for all Employees) program is founded to encourage healthy lifestyles.
Image: Dr. Pat Woolfe is elected as the first woman on the Board of Directors.
Early computers
1985
OMNI II comes online
OMNI II comes online. For the first time, the Field Force can connect to the IBM mainframe from individual PCs. E-mails are called “OMNICRONS.”
Rebuilt cafeteria opens.
1986
Contact magazine ceases regular publication
Contact magazine ceases regular publication due to cost. A few later issues were produced randomly.
1987
Attorney Fred Bertrand becomes President and CEO
Attorney Fred Bertrand becomes President and CEO.
1988
New Davis Building is completed
The new Davis Building is completed after two years of construction. The Pension Department moves and occupies the entire third floor.
1992
National Life donates $250,000
After historic flooding due to an ice jam hits downtown Montpelier, National Life donates $250,000 to help those affected.
Image: National Life volunteers
1993
First woman appointed as Treasurer
Eileen von Gal is the first woman to be appointed as Treasurer.
1995
National Life acquires Life Insurance Company of the Southwest
National Life announces the acquisition of a majority interest in Life Insurance Company of the Southwest.
VariTrak is introduced as National Life’s first venture into variable life insurance.
Image: A new corporate logo and tag line are introduced: “With you wherever the road may lead.”
1996
National Life remains in Vermont
Board of Directors reaffirms its plan to remain in Vermont.
National Life is one of the first five corporations to be awarded the National Freedom Award from Employer Support Group Guard & Reserve.
1997
Pat Welch becomes the new CEO
Pat Welch becomes the new CEO in 1997. First network PC installed.
1998
New “triangle” corporate logo is adopted
The new “triangle” corporate logo is adopted. The triangles signify the full merging of National Life with LSW. National Life establishes the Independent Distribution Channel.
Image: The triangle logo mark
