Darin L. Kath has been promoted to president of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company to company president, effective immediately. Kath retains his responsibilities as chief operating officer, in addition to the president’s role.

In making the announcement, Ronald R. Harder, CEO of Jewelers Mutual said that Kath’s promotion is the next step in the company’s succession plan. “The board of directors and I have been working on a succession plan over the last several years as I prepare to retire in the spring of 2007,” he said.

Harder has been with the company since 1973, serving as its president and chief executive officer for 23 years. He continues as the company’s CEO.

In addition to Kath’s promotion, Jewelers Mutual has appointed chief financial officer and treasurer, Carol Sanders, as corporate secretary. Sanders joined Jewelers Mutual in 2004.

During the next two years, Harder will focus his efforts on strengthening the company’s relationships within the jewelry and insurance industries and identifying new opportunities for growth, the company said. Kath’s responsibilities include the day-to-day operations of the company, as well as budgeting, planning, and continued development of the company’s leadership team.

Kath serves on the board of directors for the Jewelers Board of Trade and the American Association of Insurance Services. He joined Jewelers Mutual, based in Neenah, Wisc., as vice president of underwriting in 1997 and was promoted to chief operating officer in 2001. He previously worked at Heritage Mutual Insurance Company (now Acuity) in Sheboygan, Wis.

An Appleton, Wis., native, Kath received his undergraduate degree in marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He also has earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter insurance designation.

JCK