OAK BROOK, IL – The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) announced that Michael J. Wade, President and CEO, Gleaner Life Insurance Society, has advanced to the position of Immediate Past Chair of the NFCA Board of Directors.  Wade was installed in the NFCA post at the 120th NFCA Annual Meeting, September 7-9, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“The NFCA and its 75 member-societies congratulate and thank Mr. Wade for his dedication and commitment to the fraternal benefit system during his year as NFCA Chair of the Board,” said NFCA President and CEO Frederick H. Grubbe.  “Under his leadership, the NFCA made tremendous strides toward ensuring the long-term viability of fraternal benefit societies.”

As Immediate Past Chair, Wade, who was the 2005-2006 NFCA Chair of the Board, will continue as an officer of the NFCA and continue to represent the association’s 75 member-societies.

At his installment, 2006-2007 NFCA Chair of the Board Janice U. Whipple praised Wade by saying, “Mike has been a true leader and has tackled some very difficult challenges on behalf of all fraternals.  His theme, ‘Fraternalism At a Crossroads,’ resonated with all of us this past year, while providing us with clear direction.”

Wade joined Gleaner Life Insurance Society in 1982, and has held positions as chief operating officer, senior vice president, secretary and treasurer.  He was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer on July 1, 2000.

He has served the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) as president of the Presidents Section and Secretaries Section. He also has served as chair of the Audit Committee and of the Investment Management and Valuations Committees.  He has served on the Annual Statement Committee and worked on other task force projects. In September 2002, he was elected to a three-year term as a director on the NFCA Board, elected Vice Chair in 2004 and was installed as Chair of the Board in September 2005.  Wade also has served the Michigan Fraternal Congress as President and in other capacities.

Wade has a degree in accountancy from the University of Notre Dame, is a certified public accountant and a Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI).  He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Insurance Accounting and Systems Association.

He is active in his community as past chairman, treasurer and member of the board of the Lenawee County Chamber of Commerce; and as co-chair of the 2003-2004 and 2002-2003 countywide United Way campaign.  He is serving on the Board of Directors for Youth Center, Inc., and Athena Lenawee, as well as the Board of Trustees of Siena Heights University.  He also has been on the board of Catholic Social Services of Lenawee County and the Lenawee Country Club.  He has served St. Mary of Good Counsel Parish as lector, Eucharistic minister, chair of the worship commission and in the choir.  He also has held many positions on the board of St. Joseph Academy and Montessori Children’s House.

Wade is a past member of the Adrian College’s adjunct faculty in accounting; he also is a member of the Adrian Rotary Club and the Knights of Columbus.  He is a classic rock and blues guitar player and avid golfer.

Wade and his wife, Deb, reside in Adrian, Michigan, and have a grown daughter, Theresé.

About Gleaner Life Insurance Society
Headquartered in Adrian, Michigan, Gleaner Life Insurance Society is a nationally recognized, tax-exempt fraternal beneficiary society.  Gleaner assists its members in achieving their financial goals through a broad range of life insurance and annuity products.  As a fraternal organization, it provides volunteer opportunities and supports outreach programs, which make a difference in the lives of its members and the communities they serve.  For more information, visit www.gleanerlife.org.

About the NFCA
The 120-year-old NFCA unites 75 not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.  The association represents 10 million people in 36,000 local chapters, making it one of America’s largest member 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 $317 billion of life insurance-in-force and, in 2005 alone, contributed almost $400 million to charitable and fraternal programs.  In addition, fraternalists volunteered 93 million hours toward community-service projects during that same period.