Staff report
news@wbcowqel.com
Most people look forward to Fridays as the end of their work week. For James Kennedy, Friday was the final day of his career at Ohio Mutual Insurance Group and one he could call his very own in Bucyrus. Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser declared through mayoral proclamation that Friday, Dec. 18, 2015, was James J. Kennedy Day to honor the retiring CEO at Ohio Mutual.
Ohio Mutual has thrived under Kennedy’s leadership with several years running on prestigious industry lists such as A.M. Best and Ward’s Top 50 Insurers. In recent years, Ohio Mutual also purchased Casco Indemnity Company based in Maine and was named to the 2015 Ohio School Board’s Association Business Honor Roll.
In 2010, Kennedy was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Kennedy’s biggest impact, however, may have been his leadership in the resurgence of Crawford County. At his urging, Ohio Mutual has made significant financial contributions to Crawford 20/20’s C U Lead program and the ongoing transformation of a downtown Bucyrus movie theater into Schines Art Park.
Ohio Mutual, during Kennedy’s time as CEO, has donated more than $500,000 to various local organization. Kennedy has also served several local organizations such as the Bucyrus Area United Way and The Salvation Army.
Mark Russell succeeds Kennedy as CEO of Ohio Mutual.