Murfreesboro, TN - The Robert E. Musto Tennessee Insurance Hall of Fame, housed in the Jennings A. Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University, will welcome its Class of 2025 during a gala celebration on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at the Stones River Country Club.

This year’s inductees represent a powerful cross-section of Tennessee’s insurance legacy, with honorees from Brentwood, Nashville, Knoxville, and White House. Among them are Timothy Coomer, Deborah Ropelewski, Howard “Bud” Sherrod, Carl Gibbs Smith Jr., June Wilkinson Taylor, and Frank Frederick White Jr. Three of the six will be inducted posthumously, a testament to the enduring impact of their work.

The Hall of Fame, established in 1999, was recently recognized by the Tennessee General Assembly as the state’s official Insurance Hall of Fame. It was created to honor those who shaped the industry—not just through business success, but through mentorship, innovation, and community service.

Each inductee has left a distinct mark. From Coomer’s pioneering software models to Ropelewski’s decades of educational leadership, and Sherrod’s broad influence in risk management, the stories are rich with dedication. Smith Jr., Taylor, and White Jr. are remembered not only for their professional achievements but for the generosity and integrity they brought to their work.

The gala, underwritten by AIG American General, is more than a ceremony—it’s a celebration of the values that define Tennessee’s insurance community. Registration closes Monday, Sept. 15, and can be completed through MTSU’s Marketplace.

As the Hall continues to grow, it serves as a reminder that behind every policy and every company are individuals whose work has quietly shaped lives across the state. Their names, now enshrined, will echo through the halls of MTSU and beyond.