Jennifer Hill: A Remarkable Leader to Know
Vice President and Operations Director, Harmon Dennis Bradshaw
Q
Many people seem to come almost by accident into the insurance industry, but you majored in risk management in college. How did that happen?
A
Well, I did accidentally fall into the RMI program because I was originally an accounting major at Florida State University. It was a five-year program and I was putting myself through school the last three years and just couldn’t afford that extra year it required. I had heard that RMI had a 99% job placement ratio, and that got my attention. I’ve been fortunate that I ended up loving the industry.
Favorite vacation spot: The beaches of South Walton, Florida (“It’s just three hours from here. The white sand is like powder.”)
Favorite actress: Cate Blanchett
Favorite musical group: Dave Matthews Band and The Red Clay Strays
Favorite author: John Irving (Specifically, A Prayer for Owen Meany)
Favorite part about living in Montgomery: “We can get anywhere in 15 minutes. The people are so kind and hospitable. The cost of living’s low. Having a Walmart is great, especially moving here from Manhattan, where there weren’t any! Being three hours from the beach and two-and-a-half hours from Atlanta, if you want to do some serious shopping or catch a baseball game.”
Favorite Montgomery restaurant: City Grill
Favorite dish at City Grill: The filet or pork chop
Q
You worked in Florida, then moved to Marsh McLennan in New York City. That must have been an interesting transition.
A
It was culture shock in a good way. I was still single at the time, and early in my career, and decided it was the best time for me to take this jump, and it turned out to be a good one. I loved New York. The energy is incredible, and the accounts I worked on were huge household names.
Q
Your daughter was diagnosed at age 3 with juvenile arthritis. Tell me about that news and how you responded, and also your subsequent involvement with the Arthritis Foundation.
A
The news was hard to take. I did not know that a child could get arthritis. Getting involved in the Arthritis Foundation simply seemed like the normal next step, helping other newly diagnosed families and really just being supportive to them as they navigate the process. Seeing my daughter, as a 21-year-old, giving back in the same way, as a facilitator of a connect group that reaches young adults struggling with JA across the nation and attending the JA Family Summit recently in Indianapolis, was a humbling experience.
Q
How’s she doing?
A
She’s thriving! She’s entering her senior year at Auburn and will attend law school next year. She manages her disease with a gluten-free diet, exercise, upbeat attitude, and methotrexate, which is a relatively benign medication compared to some of the more serious biologics.
Q
To the average New Yorker, what would be the most surprising thing about Montgomery, Alabama?
A
SEC football is basically a religion.
Q
Where in your area do you take out-of-town guests?
A
We usually take them to our house at Lake Martin, where we all pile on our pontoon boat with our three dogs and bring them to Chuckwalla’s Pizza or The Landing. Other than that, our time with guests is spent floating in the lake under the trees near our house.
Q
Who’s a business leader in any industry you particularly admire?
A
One of the business leaders I really admire is Barrie Harmon, the founder of our agency. He’s now 79, and he still comes in every day, stays sharp, still travels all over the world. He’s always giving back to the community, giving back to employees, and he has that strong work ethic that I really respect.
Q
What three words would your co-workers use to describe your management style?
A
Direct, supportive, and collaborative.
Q
If you could change one thing about the insurance industry, what would it be?
A
I think we have a terrible reputation. It’s hard when I talk to individuals and they just hate insurance. A lot of times that is steered by some of their personal experience or their loved ones’ experience with insurance. I think they’re not thinking about the fact that they couldn’t have their way of life without insurance, and that it’s there to protect them.
Q
What gives you your leader’s edge?
A
I think my faith makes me an effective leader. When I have a hard decision to make, I lean on my faith. I think about it and pray on it before I make that decision.
