News Release March 30, 2015
Brian R. Bodager to Become Pension Boards President and CEO
Florham Park, New Jersey, March 28, 2015 - Brian R. Bodager, a banking executiveand attorney, has been named the next President and Chief Executive Officer of The Pension Boards-United Church of Christ, Inc. (PBUCC) effective July 1, 2015. Mr. Bodager succeeds Michael A. Downs, who will conclude his service to the Pension Boards following General Synod 30.
The announcement, made at the March 27-28 meeting of PBUCC's Board of Trustees,concludes a 15-month long national search to identify a candidate with the skills, expertise, and commitment to the United Church of Christ needed to lead the Pension Boards in its second century of service to those who serve the Church.
"We are very grateful that our efforts brought forth such a talented new CEO," said Trustee George L. Ochs, who chaired the Search Committee.
Mr. Bodager, a long-time member of Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Green Bay, Wisconsin, brings to the Pension Boards more than three decades of financial, investment, and legal experience. A native of Ohio, he received his undergraduate degree from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. He received J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from Case Western Reserve University's School of Law and Weatherhead School of Management, respectively. Following law school, he served as Assistant Counsel in the law department of a bank holding company, and later as General Counsel for an insurance company.
In 1992, Mr. Bodager joined Wisconsin-based Associated Banc-Corp, a publicly-traded bank holding company. As Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary, he was responsible for general legal affairs, compliance, security, purchasing, and facilities. He also was engaged in the corporate development activities of the company, including mergers and acquisitions. He served as the Chairman of several affiliated companies, including offshore investment companies, an insurance brokerage unit, and a captive life insurance company. During his 20-year tenure, he helped grow Associated Banc-Corp's assets from $1 billion to over $20 billion. Since 2012, he has served as aPrincipal for Performance Sciences, LLC, a Wisconsin-based early-stage business consulting and strategic planning firm.
Mr. Bodager was elected to PBUCC's Board of Trustees in 2003, and has served on the Actuarial, Executive, and Personnel Committees, and chaired the Eligibility and Enterprise Risk Management Committees.
"Brian Bodager brings to the Pension Boards executive management experience as well as in-depth knowledge of our benefit programs," said Trustee Chair Dan J. Carwile. "As a UCC member and person familiar with the Church, he will relate well with all our constituencies."
The Search Committee, appointed by the Board of Trustees in January 2014, retained the services of Fraser Keating Associates LLC, a New York-based recruiting firm that has conducted executive searches for several denominational pension boards. Conversations were also held with key leaders and constituencies throughout the United Church of Christ. The initial screening process identified more than 160 candidates; eight finalists were interviewed over a three-month period between November 2014 and February 2015. The Search Committee's recommendation was presented to the full Board for approval on March 27.
The Pension Boards-United Church of Christ, Inc. administers comprehensive employee benefits programs for the United Church of Christ, providing the highest standards of service, access and options to active and retired UCC clergy and lay employees.
