PLM CEO John Smith honored with Distinguished Leadership Award at ISOP Gala, where $75K was raised to distribute smoke detectors to Philadelphia communities.
Nov. 21, 2018—PHILADELPHIA— Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company (PLM), the largest mutual insurer dedicated to wood-related businesses, presented a check for $44,820 and 300 smoke detectors to the Philadelphia Fire Department Foundation during the Insurance Society of Philadelphia’s (ISOP) annual Independence Gala Wednesday evening Nov. 14 at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. PLM President and Chief Executive Officer John Smith, a strong proponent of fire safety, presented the donation to Philadelphia Fire Department Foundation President Cherice Corley. Smith was also honored at this year’s gala as a recipient of ISOP’s Distinguished Leader Award.
PLM worked with its partners within the insurance and wood industries and beyond to raise the funds ahead of the event for the foundation to continue its efforts of distributing smoke detectors to Philadelphia communities. Later in the evening, Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam K. Thiel launched a text-to-pledge campaign for the event’s 730 guests, which in total raised $75,000 for the cause.
“The Philadelphia Fire Department Foundation does tremendous work to improve fire safety for our city’s residents in need, and we are proud to support them,” said Smith. “From our humble beginnings in this city in 1895 as the Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Fire Insurance Company, PLM has maintained a strong commitment to fire safety and prevention, as well as risk management as a whole. Today, we work with our clients and within our communities to continue to spread the message of fire safety and more, to stop accidents before they happen through preventative measures like smoke detectors.”
Each year, ISOP works with the Philadelphia Fire Department Foundation to raise funds toward fire prevention at its annual gala. Since 2012, ISOP has raised more than $250,000 to provide and install lithium-powered smoke detectors. Proceeds from the annual gala also support an ISOP scholarship fund. As a result of funds raised at this year’s gala, $100,000 in scholarships will be distributed by ISOP to aspiring insurance students next year.
Upon receiving this year’s Distinguished Leadership Award, Smith said, “This honor reflects upon the great team that we have built at Pennsylvania Lumbermens and the fine work they do on a daily basis for our customers and brokers. I am privileged to have the opportunity to lead such a great group of people.”
The Distinguished Leadership Award is given yearly to an insurance executive who has demonstrated great leadership and character in his or her company, industry and community, providing ongoing support to charitable enterprises.
About Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual
Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company (PLM) (www.plmins.com) is a nationally recognized property and casualty insurance carrier serving the lumber, woodworking and building material industries. Backed by more than 100 years of experience, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based company protects over 5,000 businesses nationwide with property, general liability, inland marine, business automobile, commercial excess liability and equipment breakdown coverages.
