Mark Schreier Honored with Prestigious Actuaries’ Award
Woodmen of the World/Omaha Executive Receives 2008 Jacobson-Rugland Award.

09/06/08

OAK BROOK, IL – Mark Schreier, MAAA, FSA, Executive Vice President for Finance and Treasurer of Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society in Omaha, Nebraska, received the 2008 Jacobson-Rugland Award from the Actuaries Section of the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA). The award was presented at the Celebration of Fraternalism Luncheon held during the 122nd NFCA Annual Meeting, September 4-6, in Washington, D.C.

Schreier has worked in the Actuarial Division at Woodmen for 31 years, serving in the last 18 as the society’s vice president and chief actuary. On April 1, 2008, Schreier became Executive Vice President for Finance and Treasurer, a testament to his abilities and commitment.

“It was an honor to be asked to present the Jacobson Rugland Award to Mark," said James L. Mounce, President & CEO, Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society. "I have such a high regard for him. Mark is passionate about the welfare of the fraternal system. The passion that he exhibits manifests itself in his continuous efforts to grow Woodmen of the World and his willingness to share his expertise to others in our industry who have specific questions or needs."

Established by Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in 1993, and presented annually by the NFCA’s Actuarial Section, the award honors an outstanding fraternal actuary for contributions to the actuarial profession and support of the fraternal benefit system. The award was named in honor of the late Reuben Jacobson (of the former Lutheran Brotherhood) and Walter Rugland (of the former Aid Association for Lutherans).

To receive the Jacobson-Rugland Award, an actuary must be or have been a member of a professional actuarial association, an employee or consultant to a fraternal benefit society, or a notable contributor to the actuarial and fraternal industries. Award winners are selected by a panel of officers from the NFCA’s Actuarial Section. Actuarial science is the mathematical foundation on which the insurance profession rests.

Schreier graduated magna cum laude from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, with a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in math and business. He completed the education and examination requirements to receive Membership in the American Academy of Actuaries in 1982 and Fellowship in the Society of Actuaries in 1985.

Schreier contributes to the actuarial profession not only through many leadership and strategic roles at Woodmen but also in the Nebraska Actuarial Club where he has been active in programming. He served as president in 2005-2006.

He served the NFCA Financial Statements Committee from 1992-98 and has been active in the Actuaries Section for more than 30 years. Schreier is currently assisting an NFCA ad hoc committee of fraternal actuaries and attorneys who are investigating the pros and cons of a guaranty fund for fraternals in the state of New York.

Schreier became a Woodmen of the World member in 1977 and joined Lodge #1 in Omaha. He has held all lodge offices, including president in 1982. In addition, he holds membership in Lodge #16 of Omaha where he has served as trustee. He is a volunteer in the Boy Scouts and has helped coach basketball and baseball for St. Bernadette Catholic Church and the South Omaha Pee Wees.

About Woodmen of the World/Omaha
Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society, founded in 1890, is a fraternal benefit society that offers insurance protection with member benefits.  Woodmen members, who belong to more than 2,000 lodges throughout the United States, conduct volunteer, charitable and patriotic projects that benefit individuals, families and communities.  For more information, visit www.woodmen.org.

About the NFCA
The 123-year-old NFCA unites 73 not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. The association represents 10 million fraternalists in 37,000 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 $343 billion of life insurance-in-force and, in 2007 alone, contributed almost $418 million to charitable and fraternal programs, and volunteered over 95 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.


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