Church Mutual® announces leadership promotions

MERRILL, Wis. - Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I.1, looks to further the company’s growth through the promotion of six individuals into new leadership roles. These individuals will continue to lead the company and advance its mission to serve those who serve others.

Kevin Root has assumed the newly created role of senior vice president of sales and customer experience. Root has a proven track record of leadership success within Church Mutual, starting when he joined the company in 2012 as vice president – chief financial officer. He was promoted to executive vice president – Operations in 2017. Root earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Connecticut State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of both the American Institute of Public Accountants (AICPA) and Connecticut Society of CPAs (CTCPA).

Chris Schumacher has been promoted to assistant vice president – senior actuary. He has been in the insurance industry for 14 years, with the last 10 at Church Mutual. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and business administration from University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. He has a specialization in Deep Learning, is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society, a Certified Specialist in Predictive Analytics and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

Jim Ketterson has been promoted to assistant vice president – Senior Living. He has been in the insurance industry for more than 30 years with the last five of those at Church Mutual. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and a master’s in business administration from the University of Cincinnati. Ketterson also holds Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Marine Insurance Management (AMIM) designations.

Nicole Jolley has been promoted to assistant vice president – Nonprofit and Human Services. Jolley has been with Church Mutual for five years. Prior to joining Church Mutual, she spent an additional seven years in the insurance industry. Jolley holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of New Orleans and a master’s in business administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jolley also has many industry designations including CPCU, Associate in Claims (AIC), Associate in Reinsurance (ARe) and Associate in Insurance (AINS) designations.

Tracy Schmeltzer has been promoted to assistant vice president – Camps, Agency and Groups. Schmeltzer has 32 years of industry experience and first joined Church Mutual in 1989. Schmeltzer has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Upper Iowa University. She also holds Associate in Insurance Services (AIS) and AINS designations.

“Church Mutual has been serving policyholders for 125 years,” said Rich Poirier, president and CEO. “These moves allow us to leverage our leaders’ strengths into positive change to ensure we thrive for another 125-plus years.”

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

• Wisconsin 75 Top Private Company by Deloitte US, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021

• Wisconsin 75 Distinguished Performer: Innovation by Deloitte US 2019

• 2021 Gallup Culture Transformation Award recipient

• 2020 Women and Diversity Award recipient from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association

• 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