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Rich Poirier to become new Church Mutual CEO

MERRILL, Wis. (Dec. 16, 2015) — Church Mutual Insurance Company, a leading provider of insurance services to religious organizations and schools in all 50 states, today announced the planned succession of the company's senior executive leadership.

Michael E. Ravn, chief executive officer, (CEO), will retire effective January 8, 2016. Ravn began his career at Church Mutual Insurance Company in 1986 as a workers' compensation claims analyst and has held positions of increasing responsibility across several functional areas including claims, underwriting and administration. He was appointed to the CEO position in January 2010, after serving as the company's chief operating officer (COO). 

Ravn, who served as CEO for six years, will continue to serve on the company's Board of Directors.

"The Board of Directors is very grateful for Mike's strong leadership as CEO," said Allen Leverett, non-executive chairman of the Church Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors. "Mike led our company through many challenges while at the same time driving impressive growth and profitability. When Mike was selected to lead the company in 2010, Church Mutual Insurance Company had policyholders' surplus of $393 million and direct written premium of $569 million. Today, Church Mutual Insurance Company is the premier insurance provider for religious organizations and has strong financial footing with a record high policyholders' surplus of more than $580 million and direct written premium of over $660 million."

Richard V. Poirier, president Church Mutual Insurance Company, will succeed Ravn.

"We expect the transition to be seamless," Leverett said. "The members of the Board and senior management followed a thorough succession planning process. Rich, who joined Church Mutual in 2011 from a senior management position at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, has extensive industry experience in addition to most recently serving as president of the company. The Board of Directors is excited to have Rich lead Church Mutual and carry on its strong tradition."

"I am proud of the company that Church Mutual is today," Ravn said. "It's been an incredible experience to lead the company, and it's been a lot of fun. I've had the privilege to work
alongside a team of extremely talented individuals and for a rare company that has always emphasized strong values and integrity paired with a mission shared with our policyholders to improve the human condition."

Poirier said, "I am honored to be asked to lead this great company and our employees in providing risk mitigation and protection products and services to organizations that make a difference and improve the human condition in our communities and across our nation. I have a strong commitment to our company's mission, values, policyholders and employees, and I am confident that commitment will enable us to achieve great success in the future."

About Richard V. Poirier, JD

Rich Poirier joined Church Mutual in April 2011 as vice president — claims and was promoted to chief operating officer in October 2011. He was named president in 2014.

Prior to joining Church Mutual, Poirier had an extensive career in senior management with Wausau and Liberty Mutual Insurance companies.

Poirier earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University in 1983. Following graduation, he was given a direct commission in the United States Navy through its Law Education Program. Poirier earned his Juris Doctorate from Marquette University in 1986. Following law school graduation, he entered four years of active duty as a Navy judge advocate in Norfolk, Va.

Following his discharge from active duty, Poirier continued his service in the Navy Reserves. He held a number of prestigious assignments, including two commanding officer tours. He retired in 2010 at the rank of Captain. His numerous awards and decorations include two Navy Achievement Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals and a Meritorious Service Medal.

Poirier currently serves on the Board of Directors of Aspirus Health Services, the Marathon County Chapter of the Boys and Girls Club of America and the Wausau Wolf Pack Youth Lacrosse Association.

About Church Mutual Insurance Company

Church Mutual Insurance Company was founded in 1897 and offers specialized insurance for religious organizations of all denominations, including religious-related schools, camps, denominational offices and senior living facilities. Church Mutual markets most lines of commercial property and liability insurance, including multi-peril, workers' compensation and commercial auto insurance.

Fact Sheet

Church Mutual's mission is to be the premier provider of insurance services to our customers in the religious institutional marketplace and other compatible markets.

Headquarters

  • 3000 Schuster Lane, Merrill, WI

Founded

  • 1897

Financials

  • $1.45 Billion in Assets (2014)
  • $580 Million in Policyholders' Surplus (2015 EST.)
  • $660 Million in Direct Premiums Written (2015 EST.)

Market Area

  • All 50 states and the District of Columbia

Products and Services

  • Most lines of commercial property and liability insurance, including multi-peril, workers' compensation and commercial auto insurance

Insurance Specialty

  • Churches, schools (public/private, K-University), camps, conference centers and assisted living centers

Number of Employees

  • 802 home office
  • 242 in the field

Awards and Recognition

  • "A (Excellent)" rating with A.M. Best Company
  • 2015 Ward's 50 Top Performing Property and Casualty Insurance Companies
  • National Customer Service Center ranked top 10 in nation by BenchmarkPortal

Website

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Contact:

Jay Lillge
Title: Corporate Communications Manager
Phone: (715) 539-4503
Email: jlillge@churchmutual.com

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Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. (a stock insurer)
P.O. Box 357 | 3000 Schuster Lane | Merrill, WI 54452-0357
Telephone (800) 554-2642 or (715) 536-5577

© 2024 Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. All rights reserved. Protecting the Greater Good is a registered trademark of Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I.

Church Mutual is a stock insurer whose policyholders are members of the parent mutual holding company formed on 1/1/20. S.I. = a stock insurer.