Two brothers who were prominent leaders both inside and outside the insurance industry are among those who will be honored as the newest inductees to the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame.

Gerard Nollen (1880-1965) and Henry Nollen (1866-1942) helped shape Greater Des Moines into the insurance hub that it is today.

Gerard Nollen, who began his career as a clerk with Bankers Life Co. in 1902, would 24 years later become the company’s president, a position he held for 20 years until he retired in 1946. He supported the development of the role of the modern insurance agent, helped pioneer group insurance policies and led the construction of the company’s first home office in downtown Des Moines.

Henry Nollen, who at 19 became a professor of mathematics at Central College, later became secretary and board member at Bankers Life before being named general manager of Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa, where he served as president from 1921 until his retirement in 1939.

“The Nollens led the way in challenging economic times and in difficult business situations,” wrote J. Barry Griswell, retired chairman and CEO of Principal Financial Group Inc. “They were highly involved in the community and early models of responsible corporate citizenship.”

Founded in 1997, the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding contributions to the Iowa insurance industry. A selection committee evaluates nominations on standards including ethics and impact on the industry. Also to be inducted to the hall of fame are:

• Luther L. Hill Jr., retired executive vice president and general counsel to Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa.

• Fred Schiek, retired director and vice chairman of EMC National Life Co.

• Russ Sporer, partner, NOEL Insurance Inc.

Hill, a Harvard Law school graduate, in 1952 joined the legal staff of Equitable Life, where he ultimately became executive vice president, secretary and general counsel. Upon retiring from Equitable in 1987, he returned to private practice and continues of counsel to the Nyemaster Goode law firm. Hill was among a group of Greater Des Moines leaders who formulated the early concepts and development of the downtown skywalk system.

Schiek retired in 2001 as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Employers Mutual Casualty Co., and served as chair of the board of directors from 2005 to 2009. The Drake University graduate played a major role in EMC’s growth into a national company. Schiek retired as director and vice chairman of EMC Life in 2010.

Sporer has been a principal of NOEL Insurance in Ottumwa for more than 40 years. He is frequently called upon to serve as an expert witness for the insurance industry in legal cases involving the industry. Sporer served for many years on the board of the Ottumwa Regional Health Center and was a member of the Ottumwa City Planning and Zoning Commission.

The induction ceremony will be held May 16 in the Olmsted Center at Drake University, with a social hour beginning at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Reservations must be made by May 11 to Melissa Meiners at Melissa@iiaiowa.org or by calling her at (515) 223-6060, ext. 15.