Country Financial's chief operating office will be retiring in January. (Photo courtesy Country Financial)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – Chief operating officer for Country Financial Barb Baurer has announced plans to retire in January after 37 years with the company.

Baurer, who took the COO position in 1999, said the decision to retire is somewhat difficult because she hasn't known anything but work. However, she believed now is the time to call it a career.

"I have things I want to do outside of insurance. I want to do those things while I still have good health," said Baurer. "We have a great younger leadership team here at Country, so it just seemed like the time was right."

Baurer said a lot has changed during her career. When she first started with Country it was called the Farm Bureau Insurance Company and it only operated in Illinois.

"Now we're in 40 states," said Baurer. "Also the technology has changed. When I started, obviously, we didn't really have any computerized systems. I started in our computer area and we were using punch cards."

Baurer has been given numerous awards throughout her career and has also been heavily involved in the community. She talked about what achievements stand out the most to her.

"In 2012, I chaired the United Way Campaign in McLean County and we passed our goal; just by a little bit, but we passed our goal," said Baurer. "We set a goal and we accomplished it. It was a great group of people working on it and it was for a great cause."

Baurer also pointed to 2013 when her Alma Mater, Eastern Illinois University, presented her with the Distinguished Alumna Award. Plus, she was named a 2004 Woman of Distinction by the YWCA of McLean County.

Baurer added the tornado in Washington last year is one thing during her career which she will never forget.

"I went over a couple days after the tornadoes had hit and toured the areas with some of my claims people and it was like a war zone. It was unbelievable, some of the devastation," she said.

What are her plans after retirement? Baurer said she hasn't set anything in stone, but traveling, getting herself organized, and staying involved in charities are just a few things on her list.

Adam Studiznski can be reached at [email protected].