Federated Insurance® Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

Words: Mason Contractors

Owatonna, MN — Federated Insurance® Chairman Jeff Fetters recently announced that Nicholas R. Lower has been appointed the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2024, upon the retirement of its current Chief Executive Officer, Michael G. Kerr.

An Ohio native, Lower graduated from Muskingum University and joined Federated Insurance as a marketing representative in Ohio in 1999. Over the years, he has held all leadership roles in the company’s Marketing function, leading to him being named Director of Marketing in 2017. He has also overseen Federated’s Association Risk Management Services Department, as well as its Marketing Administration and Incentives areas. Most recently, he has served as President and Chief Operating Officer and chaired Federated’s Operations Team, with responsibility for the company’s Marketing, Field Services, Underwriting, Information Services, and Association Risk Management Services functions, as well as its Life Operations and Agency Operations.

As President and Chief Executive Officer, Lower will now also assume greater responsibility for Federated’s Claims, Actuarial, and Human Resources functions.

“Nick is among the most driven, disciplined, and dedicated individuals to walk our halls,” Fetters stated. “As a proven leader with extraordinary character, Nick energizes and elevates performance among us all. He brings a wealth of experience, operational knowledge, and a deep care for Federated people and clients to this role. Nick and his wife Jessica will continue to reside in Owatonna and serve as phenomenal ambassadors for Federated Insurance, the value we bring to clients, the career opportunity we provide employees, and the investments we make in our community.”

“This leadership transition also marks the end of a remarkable, 42-year Federated career for Mike Kerr and his wife, Jo Anne,” Fetters said. “It is impossible to overstate the impact Mike has made during his professional journey from marketing representative to CEO. He has been instrumental in numerous organizational achievements over the years and embodies the very best of our culture. We will be forever grateful for his and Jo Anne’s service.”

About Federated Insurance: Founded in 1904, Federated Insurance is a national insurance and risk management organization that serves the property, casualty, and life insurance needs of clients in select industries. The organization has more than 500 recommendations from state, regional, and national associations and buying groups, and is rated A+ (Superior) by industry analyst A.M. Best®.

At Federated Insurance, It’s Our Business to Protect Yours.®

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 24 Recap: Gary Hensley, VP of Sales at Oldcastle Adams
July 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Gary Hensley joins Justin in Indianapolis to talk about his story within the masonry industry, how he got started, how he's seen it evolve, and where he sees it going. Why the Masonry Industry? Concrete and

The Enduring Power of Structural Masonry
July 2025

Masonry has been holding its ground for millennia — literally. And thanks to the simple brilliance of arching action, it continues to do so with strength, style, and surprising efficiency. In an era of advanced modeling and fast-moving schedules, one time

Business Building: Do Project Manager / Estimator Combos Work?
July 2025

Steve owns SJP Contractors, a mid-size general contractor specializing in commercial projects. Over the last several years, his company has grown to over $16 million in annual sales, with an average project size of $500,000 to $1,500,000, employing 45 off

Contractor Tip of the Month: Trust Is the Cornerstone
July 2025

If I can’t trust you, I can’t do business with you. I don’t care how talented you are. I don’t care how long we’ve worked together. I don’t care how many projects you’ve completed. If I can’t trust your word, then we don’t have anything to build on—figura