Ozarks Profile: Gene Pierceall

What is your job?

Pierceall is retired, but he is one of the founders of American National Property and Casualty Company, which was established in Springfield in 1973. ANPAC recently announced a $280 million merger agreement in which it will acquire Farm Family Holdings Inc. ANPAC is a subsidiary of American National Life Insurance and employs approximately 600 at its Corporate Centre offices. Before retiring, Pierceall also served as the chief executive officer and president of Mutual of Omaha's property and casualty insurance company.

Tell us about the founding of ANPAC.

|quot|American National Property and Casualty is a subsidiary of American National Life, which is based in Galveston, Texas. They wanted to enter the multiple line business with personal lines automobile insurance and homeowner's insurance. In doing so, they hired Bill McCaskill, who was our first president. At the time they hired him, he was the Missouri state commissioner of insurance. McCaskill, in turn, hired Gene Ruble as vice president of agency. Then, he hired me as vice president of operations. I had spent 12 years with State Farm Insurance in field work and management, and was living in Columbia with my family.|quot| Pierceall said it was decided that ANPAC's headquarters would be in Springfield, so he moved here with his family in 1973 to join the fledgling company.

What is your educational background?

Pierceall has bachelor of science and master's degrees in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

What jobs did you have before you joined ANPAC?

|quot|I got started in the insurance business in 1960. Prior to that, I had been in coaching and also served as the executive director of the Joplin Boys Club. I had an opportunity to join State Farm, and started out as a field claims representative. Then I was transferred to Kansas City into management, and consequently left Kansas City to a management position in Columbia, where the regional office is.|quot| Pierceall then joined American National.

How has the insurance industry changed since you began your career?

|quot|From the state regulatory position, greater emphasis on state regulations, greater uninsured motorist problems and higher liability judgments.|quot| Pierceall also said he's pleased with how much American National has grown since he left there in 1980.

Give us some personal information.

Pierceall grew up in the small town of Nevada and is married to Carol, formerly Chambers. They have a son, Bill, a daughter Kim Browning, and a grandson, Haden Browning. Pierceall attends most MU football games and enjoys traveling, fishing, spending time at his lake house on Lake of the Ozarks and playing golf.

by Melissa Wilson