Jewelers Mutual CEO to retire, new leader named

Neenah, Wis.--Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. announced Tuesday that its board of directors has selected a new president and CEO to replace Darwin Copeman, who will retire in 2015. 

Scott Murphy formerly served as an executive partner and principal at Triad Analytic Solutions, an Advance, N.C.-based insurance industry consulting group that offers product, pricing/underwriting and distribution solutions for numerous insurance-related businesses in varying industries. 

Past positions include roles as chief operating officer at GMAC Insurance as well as executive or management positions within the Great American family of insurance carriers, Infinity Insurance and Windsor Insurance Group. 

Murphy, who will be relocating from North Carolina with his wife and two daughters to take the position, will start at Jewelers Mutual in January. 

Commenting on Murphy’s hire in a statement from Jewelers Mutual, board chairman Mark Fiebrink said, “Jewelers Mutual’s board of directors is unique in that it includes representation from both the jewelry industry and the insurance industry, making it a strong leadership team for a company so deeply connected throughout the industry it serves. We expect that Scott Murphy is going to be a terrific asset to the company, leading Jewelers Mutual into its next century of success.”

Jewelers Mutual celebrated 100 years of providing insurance to jewelers in 2013. The company has earned 27 consecutive ratings of A+ Superior from A.M. Best Company and is listed among the Ward’s 50 top-performing insurance companies. 

Copeman has headed Jewelers Mutual since May 2009. “I’m truly blessed to have led such an amazing company, and I look forward to Jewelers Mutual’s continued success,” he said. 

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Murphy earned his MBA from the Knoxville-based school in 1993. He currently resides in Winston-Salem, N.C. with his wife, Cheri, and two teenage daughters, Ashlee and Emilee.