1950: Ernest R. Geddes, chairman of the Assembly Interim Committee on Finance and Insurance says his committee will meet to investigate us. Manager J.J. Gallagher believes Geddes' true purpose is to eliminate our exclusive right to insure public agencies and to limit our sales efforts.
Newspaper editorial pages across the state rise to our defense.
1951: The Department of Finance agrees to purchase automobile side-view mirrors for our empoyee drivers who request them.
1952: The new Los Angeles Branch Office, built at a cost of $1,043,646, opens Sept. 2. Meanwhile, we are outgrowing the Home Office at 450 McAllister St. Auxiliary space is rented at 540 Golden Gate Ave.
1955: We form an Electronic Data Processing Study team, embracing new technology. The launch memo states: “Electronic data processing is still in its infancy, but its application is expanding rapidly and it is finding new adaptations daily. We are living in a rapidly changing world.”
At the January meeting of the Board, Gallagher announces his retirement, effective March 31. He served exactly 11 years as Manager, the longest in our history, and served a total of 41 years at State Fund.
Earl R. Howard is named Acting Manager. Ernest Webb now chairs the Board of Directors. Assembly Bill 3458 dies. The bill attempted to prohibit us from actively soliciting business, and would have permitted private insurers to write policies for public agencies.
1956: On March 29, Earl R. Howard becomes Manager, a position soon to be called General Manager, at a salary of $18,000. Raymond A. Young is appointed Executive Secretary, our second-highest position. Howard begins to move forward with plans to acquire a new Home Office.
1958: We open new offices in Long Beach, San Bernardino, Ventura, Bakersfield and Santa Ana.
We create a Rehabilitation department, with branches in San Francisco and Los Angeles.