A packed audience gathered at the Jefferson Educational Society to celebrate a significant milestone for Erie Insurance: its 100th anniversary. The program, titled "Erie Insurance at 100: A Remarkable Past and Promising Future," offered an in-depth look at the region's only homegrown Fortune 500 company, which also holds the title of Erie’s largest employer.

The event featured a distinguished panel that included Tom Hagen, Chairman of the Board; Tim NeCastro, President and CEO; and retired executive Marty Eisert. The discussion was moderated by veteran journalist and Global Summit Chairman Erie native Steve Scully.

During the program, Tim NeCastro highlighted the core values that have driven Erie Insurance’s success over the past century. He emphasized the company’s commitment to service, its focus on caring for people even in the midst of rapidly changing technology, and its ability to respond quickly during times of disaster. 

Beyond its business achievements, Erie Insurance has played a pivotal role in the revitalization of the city of Erie. NeCastro spoke about the company’s significant investments in the downtown area, which have inspired other organizations to join in efforts to transform the community. He stated, "Investing in downtown was really an important thing to do. And luckily we were able to inspire Gannon, UPMC, AHN, Erie Community Foundation, some of the banks, Plastek Group and others to come in and say look, this is our community, we're going to turn this around."

Tom Hagen echoed the sentiment, praising the collaborative efforts that have led to visible changes in Erie. He remarked, "The building that the Erie Downtown Development Corporation has brought about, the expansions at Gannon and Erie Insurance, this has been transformational for Erie and we're very, very pleased to have participated in it."

While celebrating the progress made so far, NeCastro acknowledged that there is still much work to be done to continue improving the community. He said that Erie Insurance remains committed to driving positive change, stating that the company plans to "keep the pedal to the metal" in its efforts to support Erie’s growth and revitalization.

The event served as both a reflection on Erie Insurance’s remarkable history and a forward-looking discussion about its role in shaping the future of the city it calls home.