The outgoing president and chief executive officer of the seventh-largest employer in Columbia/Boone County says Shelter Insurance’s annual payroll at their Columbia headquarters is $98-million.
Randa Rawlins retired as Shelter’s president and CEO in April, and she’s finishing her term on the Columbia Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) board. Ms. Rawlins briefed the REDI board, business leaders and elected officials this week. Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick was impressed, telling 939 the Eagle that Shelter is an incredible employer:
“Great paying jobs and it’s always fun to hear to hear too about their longevity of their employees as well. The average retirement age or length of time with the company is over 28 years. That’s remarkable, you just don’t see that anymore,” Kendrick says.
Commissioner Kendrick also praises Shelter for being a good corporate citizen, noting they encourage non-profit board service for employees and donate to many organizations:
“It’s great to see such a strong insurance company based out of Columbia, based out of Boone County. Economic impact that it has and the multiplier effect, but also their philanthropy as well. They do a lot of incredible, you know, charitable giving throughout the community and it shows,” says Commissioner Kendrick.
Ms. Rawlins notes Shelter encourages non-profit board service for employees and that they donate to many organizations, including the United Way, the Red Cross, the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, Coyote Hill and Special Olympics. Shelter is also a REDI investor.
Ms. Rawlins, who grew up in northwest Missouri’s Hale, tells the audience that 1,353 employees report to Shelter’s home office on Broadway. She tells the REDI board and business leaders that the company now operates in 21 states. She notes Shelter has added six new states in the last decade.
