Alumni Service Hall of Fame 2009 - 2010 Inductees
Jay Edmondson
During his highly successful 42-year career at State Farm, Jay Edmondson held positions in underwriting, management planning, and systems development. He retired as vice president—underwriting and service at State Farm. His responsibilities included the underwriting of automobile insurance and the development of business systems for the State Farm Companies. Edmondson, who holds the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter Designation, was the recipient of the 1960 Insurance Institute of America Hardy Prize, awarded annually to the outstanding graduate of their programs.
He has served on the Board of Directors of the Conference of Casualty Insurance Companies, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund. Edmondson was named emeritus advisor to the Katie Insurance School at Illinois State University, having served as both a member and as chair of the Insurance Executives Advisory Board. The Edmondson-Miller Endowed Chair is named in recognition of his services to the Katie School. Edmondson also serves as a member of the Senior Professionals of Illinois State University.
Additionally, Edmondson and his wife, Sue, are both actively involved in the Bloomington-Normal community. He has served on the boards of directors for the United Way, Center for Human Services, the Illinois symphony, and as chair of the Town of Normal Human Relations Commission.
Edmondson graduated from the University of California – Berkley with a degree in social welfare and served in the United States Army as an information and education specialist.
George Eovaldi
George Eovaldi retired in 1994 as vice president of accounting for State Farm. He began his career with the company as an accounting trainee in a two-year management development program. In time, Eovaldi was transferred to Dallas and then to Lincoln, Nebraska. His promotion to director of Management Planning and Information resulted in Eovaldi’s return to Bloomington.
Eovaldi held managerial positions in several areas at State Farm moving from director to assistant vice president and finally to vice president of Accounting in 1981. During his career, Eovaldi earned both the CLU and CPCU designations, which helped guide his work as he placed emphasis on the development of systems and practices to record and maintain State Farm’s business information in an accurate, reliable, and efficient manner.
In addition to Eovaldi’s professional achievements, he has made an impact on higher education. For five years, he represented State Farm as a member of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business where he served on the accreditation and standards committees and was a member of campus visitation teams. He has supported the College of Business through service on the college and Accounting Department advisory councils for almost 25 years. Eovaldi is a member of the Senior Professionals of the University and has mentored seven Illinois State University accounting majors.
Eovaldi is a long-time supporter of the McLean County United Way, serving as treasurer, chair for the finance and leadership committees, and as a member of the board. He also led a highly successful “Together We’re Better” fundraising campaign for the organization. Presently, Eovaldi is a member of the Normal Lions Club, McLean Chapter of Pheasants Forever, and a fan and follower of Redbird athletics. The father of six (five of whom are Illinois State University graduates) - Eovaldi continues to make a positive and productive difference.