Church Mutual’s Williams recognized as NACD Directorship Certified™

Certified board members demonstrate commitment to elevating board leadership

MERRILL, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. (a stock insurer)¹ announced that the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) recently recognized John “Jay” Williams, chairman of the Church Mutual board, as NACD Directorship Certified™. NACD Certified Directors who earn NACD Directorship Certification™ signal to boards, investors and other stakeholders that they possess the highest commitment to continuing director education available in the United States. Williams has served on the Church Mutual board of directors since March 2008.

The NACD Directorship Certification program, the only program of its kind in the United States, provides a tangible assessment of a director’s understanding of the essential knowledge required to lead in today’s boardrooms. Certification also facilitates continuous learning and allows directors to showcase their governance knowledge to the companies they serve and to other stakeholders in the broader governance community.

“I am honored to join the distinguished and diverse group of individuals who make up the NACD Directorship Certification community and who are committed to advancing the highest standards of boardroom excellence,” said Williams. “The information I’ve learned and verified via NACD’s certification program is a key asset to the companies I serve, as well as to my professional growth as a director.”

A recognized leader in finance, Williams had a 37-year career in banking. He has held executive roles in commercial banking, retail banking, insurance, brokerage, acquisitions and operations. Williams also served as the president and chief executive officer of the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Williams has a Master of Business Administration degree from Marquette University and a bachelor’s degree from St. Norbert College. He received the 2010 Professional Achievement Award from Marquette University College of Business Administration and the 2001 Distinguished Business Alumni Award from St. Norbert College. In addition, in 2016, he received an honorary doctorate in law from St. Norbert College.

Williams currently serves on the board of directors for the Associated Banc-Corp, Inc., Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, Inc., Milwaukee Public Museum and The Medical College of Wisconsin, in addition to Church Mutual. He has also held board and board chairman positions for a wide variety of not-for-profit organizations serving Wisconsin.

“NACD Certified Directors demonstrate their keen awareness that directorship is a profession that, like all professions, requires continuous learning,” said Peter R. Gleason, NACD’s CEO. “Williams is leading the way in achieving and maintaining the highest credential available to directors in the United States.”

To learn more about NACD Directorship Certification, visit Certification.NACDOnline.org.

About Church Mutual

Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I., founded in 1897, offers specialized insurance for religious organizations of all denominations, public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities, senior living facilities, secular and non-secular camps and conference centers, and nonprofit and human services organizations throughout the United States. Church Mutual markets most lines of commercial property and liability insurance, including multi-peril, workers' compensation and commercial auto insurance. In addition to insurance, Church Mutual provides a spectrum of value-added solutions that benefit its customers. Church Mutual holds the following honors:

• A.M. Best Company "A" (excellent) rating
• BenchmarkPortal Top 10 National Customer Service Center
• Wisconsin 75 Top Private Company by Deloitte US, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019
• Wisconsin 75 Distinguished Performer: Innovation by Deloitte US 2019
• Futuremakers Partner by Wisconsin Technical College System
• Celent Model Insurer for innovation and emerging technologies
• Award in Innovation for entrepreneurialism and innovation by National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies
• 2018-2019 Employer of the Year by Northcentral Technical College