Virginia Association of Mutual Insurance Companies

L. Gerald Roach Memorial Scholarship

L. Gerald Roach, CPCU, FLMI, CFE

Mr. L. Gerald “Jerry” Roach was the eleventh President and CEO of Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia, the oldest continuously operating company in Virginia and the third oldest mutual insurance company in America. Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia was established in 1794.

Jerry began his career working for the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Insurance as an Examiner. He held that position in both Virginia and North Carolina before eventually becoming the Deputy Commissioner for Financial Regulation in Virginia. Jerry spent almost two decades in the regulatory side of the insurance industry.

Jerry joined the Mutual Assurance Society in 1981 as President. Jerry oversaw many changes in the operation of the company. He was instrumental in modernizing the company by moving their records from 3 x 5 cards to a computerized system he helped build. That system, with some minor modifications, is still in use today.

During Jerry’s tenure at Mutual Assurance, the company grew from about 5,000 policies to more than 23,000. Premiums grew from $800,000 annually to just over $38,000,000. When he came aboard in 1981, the company had 6 employees counting himself. At the time of his death, the company had 31 employees.

Jerry was also a past president of the Virginia Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and past chairman of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. During his career, he held other industry leadership positions. Along the way he attained his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation, his Fellow in the Life Management Institute designation and his Chartered Financial Examiner designation.

L. Gerald Roach was a good man, a great father, and a giant in the mutual insurance industry.

The VAMIC L. Gerald Roach Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a Virginia resident pursuing a degree in Insurance, Risk Management or Business Administration. The scholarship honors the many years of dedication to our industry by L. Gerald "Jerry" Roach.


If you are a Virginia resident currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in Insurance, Risk Management or Business Administration, you may apply for the VAMIC L. Gerald Roach Memorial Scholarship by completing our application form and submitting it with a cover letter to one of our officers. The application deadline is Nov. 1st, with the award intended help pay Spring semester tuition.


Click here for a copy of our application.


PREVIOUS  L. GERALD ROACH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS: 

2012 – HANNAH TAYLOR, VCU

2013 – LINDSAY BUNCH, VCU

2014 – ANDREW JOHNSTON, APPALACHIAN ST UNIV

2015 – MICHAEL STREETMAN, ODU

2016 – JAMES RAY & HAYLEY SPOLTER, VCU

2017 – ANDREA GOOCH & NATHANIEL FERRELL, VCU

2018 – BRANDON WRIGHT, VCU & BRANDON WILKERSON, APPALACHIAN ST UNIV

 





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