MERRILL — John (Jay) B. Williams, who had been serving as vice chairman of the Church Mutual Insurance Company board of directors since Dec. 13, 2017, was named chairman, effective Oct. 16. He assumed the role previously held by Allen A. Leverett, who now serves as chairman of the Governance Committee. In a related move, Gregory A. Smith was named vice chairman of the board, also effective Oct. 16, 2018.

John (Jay) B. Williams Williams is a recognized leader in finance, with a 37-year career in the banking industry. He also served as president and CEO of the Milwaukee Public Museum. He currently holds board positions for a variety of for-profit and non-for-profit organizations. He has an honorary doctorate of law degree from St. Norbert College in DePere, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee. Williams has been on the Church Mutual board of directors since March 19, 2008. Gregory A. Smith is an executive-in-residence and lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Lubar School of Business and managing partner of Barnett Management Advisors. His previous roles include former senior vice president and chief financial officer of Marshall & Illsley Corp. and M&I Bank. Smith joined Church Mutual’s board of directors on August 20, 2014, and was elected by the policyholders on March 18, 2015.