Alumni Service Hall of Fame 2012 - 2013 Inductees

Barbara Baurer

Illinois State University

Barbara Baurer of El Paso, Ill., has served as chief operating officer for COUNTRY Financial since September 1999. She is a member of the Boards of Directors for alliances COUNTRY has made with the following insurers:

• Cotton States Life Insurance, Alpharetta, Ga.
• Holyoke Mutual Insurance Company of Salem, Mass.,
• Middlesex Mutual Assurance Company of Middletown, Conn.

Baurer also serves as president for Holyoke and Middlesex.

Since joining COUNTRY in 1977, Baurer has served in various positions, including vice president and general manager of the Property and Casualty companies. Prior to that, she served as vice president of Information Services (IS). She joined the COUNTRY Management Committee/Leadership Council in 1989.

Baurer earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a Master’s of Business Administration from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston. In 2006, she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Eastern Illinois University. She also furthered her education, earning three insurance designations: the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).

She is a member of the Board and Executive Committee of the American Institute for CPCU. Baurer also serves on the Board and Executive Committee of the Griffith Insurance Education Foundation. She currently serves as chair of the Eastern Illinois University College of Business Advisory Board.

Baurer is past board chair for Advocate BroMenn Regional Medical System. She also serves on the United Way of McLean County Board and was the 2012 Campaign Chair. In addition, Baurer was named a 2004 Woman of Distinction by the YWCA of McLean County (Ill.). She was named a 2010 Woman Worth Watching by Profiles in Diversity Journal. Baurer is also one of the National Diversity Council’s Most Powerful and Influential Women in Illinois for 2010 and 2011.

Baurer was instrumental in formation of the Illinois State University Katie School of Insurance Advisory Board and is a past board chair. She further played a key role in establishing the Edmondson-Miller Endowed Chair in Insurance and Financial Services. While chairing the Katie School advisory board, Baurer provided input regarding the school’s need for classrooms and office space in the new Illinois State University College of Business building. She also facilitated a contribution from COUNTRY Financial for the new building.