50 Years in the Making   

Longevity in any business or career could be considered uncommon by today's standards.  You rarely see the same familiar faces at the bank or restaurant.  Even your favorite athletes don't get a chance to stick around long enough to call one city home.  So what if you worked at the same company for 50 years??

It is with great pleasure that I recognize my dad, John Hackett, for his 50th Anniversary with J.J. Ruddy Insurance.

He first joined the agency in July of 1962 after graduating from Boston College.  He successfully took the reins from my grandmother, Mary Ruddy Hackett, launching a career full of many accomplishments and leaving his mark on the community.

John's career with the agency began in Boston, where the agency has been established by his grandfather.  Recognizing that the majority of the client base was located in their hometown of Medford, John moved the office to Medford.  The agency flourished in its new home, and under his leadership the agency expanded its writings of both personal and commercial lines exposures.

In efforts to move the agency forward, John recognized that technology was the spring board - not only for the agency, but also for the industry.  During the 80's, John worked tirelessly as President of the Gemini User Group to develop a state-of-the-art agency management system that would change the way our industry processed information and serviced its customers.  The finished product set the stage for technology in our industry and was considered by many as the most significant impact on agency operations during that decade. 

John's dedication to the agency and the insurance industry was equaled by his commitment to supporting the local community. Among his many volunteer roles are Past President of the Medford Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Medford Rotary Club, and he currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Hallmark Health System. His efforts to support the local community have been recognized by a number of awards including the Citizen of the Year Award and Rotary International's Paul Harris Fellow - honoring his 40+ years of service to Rotary.

We are all proud of my Dad's accomplishments at our agency, within our industry, and far reaching into the community.  He continues to exemplify what it means to be passionate about what you do and to take an interest in the communities that you serve.

I can think of no better tribute to my dad than inviting all of you to share your thoughts and memorable stories via email to jhackett@jjruddyinsurance.com .  I know he would enjoy hearing from the many people that he has worked with over the years.  Thank you for making his milestone a memorable one.  

Regards,

Edward P. Hackett, CIC CRM

Vice-President