NFCA Announces Interim President and CEO
Fred Grubbe Resigns as NFCA President and CEO.

05/09/07

OAK BROOK, IL – The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is pleased to announce that Robert C. “Bob” Huxel, CPCU, Director of Government Affairs, has accepted the responsibility to serve as the NFCA’s Interim President and CEO, effective May 25, 2007. Mr. Huxel immediately will begin to work together with President and CEO Frederick H. Grubbe to ensure a smooth transition into this office. 

“The Board of Directors is confident that with Bob’s leadership the NFCA will continue the high level of service and commitment that member-societies have come to expect from their trade association,” said Chair of the Board Janice U. Whipple.

Mr. Huxel joined the NFCA staff as its first-ever Director of Government Affairs in April 2004. In this position, he has monitored and managed all regulatory and legislative activities for the NFCA and helped to develop positions, strategies and tactics that ensure the viability and growth of the fraternal benefit system.

“I am happy to ‘step up’ into this position and will do my best to further serve the fraternal benefit system,” said Huxel. “I will work with the NFCA headquarters staff to press forward on the NFCA’s strategic priorities and objectives for the advancement of all fraternals.”

NFCA President and CEO Fred Grubbe announced his resignation last week, which will take effect on May 24, 2007. 

“The NFCA and the fraternal benefit system are grateful to Fred for his many contributions during his tenure and wish him the best of luck with his future pursuits,” said Chair Whipple.

Mr. Grubbe has served as the NFCA’s President and CEO since December 1, 2001. He will begin his new position as Chief Executive Officer of the Appraisal Institute headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, on June 1, 2007.

“It has been a great honor and privilege to serve the NFCA’s member-societies these last five-and-a-half years,” said Grubbe. “While I am saddened to leave the NFCA and the fraternal benefit system, I am comforted in knowing that the system is rich with leadership, vision and compassion, traits that are necessary for ensuring fraternalism’s future in the United States. I am a better person for this experience and I am proud to be a fraternalist.”

Chair Whipple will work with the NFCA Board of Directors to develop a transition strategy, including the hiring of a permanent President and CEO in the coming months.

About the NFCA
The 121-year-old NFCA unites 76 not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. The association represents 10 million fraternalists in 36,000 local chapters, making it one of America’s largest member-volunteer networks.  Fraternal benefit societies provide their members with leadership, social, educational, spiritual, patriotic, scholarship, financial and volunteer-service opportunities. Combined, the NFCA’s member-societies maintain more than $324 billion of life insurance-in-force and, in 2005 alone, contributed almost $400 million to charitable and fraternal programs, and volunteered 93 million hours for community-service projects.  These statistics demonstrate the commitment that fraternals make to those in need and exemplify the true meaning of the NFCA signature phrase: Joining Hands to Touch Lives.