Poirer to Succeed Ravn as Church Mutual CEO in January

Church Mutual Insurance Co., a provider of insurance to religious organizations and schools, announced that Michael E. Ravn, chief executive officer, will retire effective January 8, 2016 and will be succeeded as CEO by Richard V. Poirier, current president.

Ravn, who served as CEO for six years, will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors.

Ravn began his career at Church Mutual in 1986 as a workers’ compensation claims analyst, and has held positions in claims, underwriting and administration. He was appointed to the CEO position in January 2010, after serving as the company’s chief operating officer

When Ravn became CEO in 2010, Church Mutual had policyholders’ surplus of $393 million and direct written premium of $569 million. Today, it has a record high policyholders’ surplus of more than $580 million and direct written premium in excess of $660 million, according to the company.

Allen Leverett, non-executive chairman of the Church Mutual board of directors, said the company expects the transition to be seamless as the board and senior management “followed a thorough succession planning process.”

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

Prior to joining Church Mutual, Poirier was in senior management with Wausau and Liberty Mutual Insurance companies. Following law school graduation in 1986, he served 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 retired in 2010 at the rank of Captain. His awards and decorations include two Navy Achievement Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals and a Meritorious Service Medal.

Chruch Mutual, based in Merrill, Wisconsin, was founded in 1897 as the Wisconsin Church Mutual Fire Insurance Association to provide insurance to congregations, pastors and teachers against losses by fire and lightning