News Archives

Headlines

  8/15/2007 - Laurie Pethan's Fraternalist-in-Action MVP News Release
  6/19/2007 - NMB Fraternal MVP - Joe Popelka
  6/19/2007 - NMB Fraternal MVP - Sue Vlasnik
  1/24/2004 - NMB Fraternal Agent of the Year
  1/1/2004 - New National Director
  12/31/2003 - NMB Director Retires

January 24th, 2004
Pearson Named NMB Fraternalist of the Year

Lester Pearson, Philip South Dakota, was honored at the Fraternal Leadership Seminar in Rapid City, South Dakota on January 24, 2004 when he was awarded the 2003 Presidents Award. This prestigious award recognizes members who have a strong commitment to fraternalism, community service, and mobilizing youth.

Pearson has been an active member of National Mutual Benefit ever since the Philip Branch was first formed in 1985. He was the charter president of the branch and has held that position three different times since 1985.

One of his favorite branch projects has been the Lasting Legacy memorial wall. This memorial was built by the city of Philip and Branch 85 to honor the past, present, and future pioneers of South Dakota. The Lasting Legacy wall was dedicated in June of 1989 to the people of Philip and the state of South Dakota.

Pearson's volunteer efforts also include working with youth. One of his biggest commitments has been to the Philip wrestling program. He has been involved with the program ever since his son began wrestling many years ago. His current responsibilities include announcing at the Philip wrestling tournament each year.

Lester Pearson is not a rookie when it comes to winning awards or being involved with volunteer organizations. In 2002, he was named South Dakota Fraternalist of the Year through a statewide awards program. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the finance officer for the American Legion, and a member of the Philip Community Betterment Committee.

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January 24th, 2004
Foss Named NMB Fraternal Agent of the Year

Jim Foss, FIC, Bismarck, North Dakota, is the recipient of the 2003 William J. Wenger Award, honoring him as National Mutual Benefit's Fraternal Agent of the Year. The award was presented at the 2004 Dakota Fraternal Leadership Seminar in Rapid City, South Dakota on January 24, 2004.

Foss is the fourth representative to receive this award since its inception in 1998, which is presented to a sales representative who proves strength in two areas: service to members through insurance programs; and service to members through his/her local NMB fraternal branch. Recipients are nominated by National Mutual Benefit members in the nominee's respective fraternal branch area.

The award is named after the sixth president of NMB, William J. Wenger, who was instrumental in establishing the Society's full-time career sales force structure, and the Fraternal Department. Jim was humbled and surprised by the award saying, "I couldn't believe it; it was so unexpected. "It's even more special in that it's named for Bill Wenger."

Foss has won many prestigious awards during his long, successful career with NMB. Jim has earned membership in the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) and earned an invitation to the annual President's Conference 23 times, an honor that approximately 25% of NMB representatives achieve each year.

Fraternally speaking, Jim also has an impressive history. As the first NMB agent in North Dakota, he worked tirelessly in the formation of the Mott Branch and was instrumental in the establishment of two others-Hettinger and Bismarck. Jim is an active participant in many branch activities.

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January 1st, 2004
NMB Appoints New National Director

Donald W. Lohrentz, Naperville, IL, was appointed to National Mutual Benefit's national Board of Directors effective January 1, 2004. He will complete the remaining three-year term of retired Director Darold A. Treffert, M.D. "It's a great opportunity for me and a real honor," stated Lohrentz after his appointment.

Lohrentz earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Valparaiso University and a master's degree in business administration from Northwestern University. In 1998 he retired as vice president and treasurer of Nicor Gas Co., where he worked in various capacities for 31 years, primarily in finance and corporate governance.

Lohrentz served as past director and chairman of the board of Concordia Mutual Life Association (CML) prior to its merger with National Mutual Benefit in 2001.

A devoted community leader, Lohrentz devotes much of his time and talent to several organizations in the Naperville area. He is currently treasurer of the Bethany Lutheran Church, Naperville; a member of the President's Advisory Council of Valparaiso University, and of the investment committee of Wheat Ridge Ministries. He is currently director and vice president of the Lutheran Camp Association; director and treasurer of a drug education program called Educating Voices, Inc., and a director of both the Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois Foundation and the Wittenberg Lutheran Village.

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December 31st, 2003
Long-time NMB Director Retires

Darold A. Treffert, M.D., Fond du Lac, WI, retired from the National Mutual Benefit Board of Directors, effective December 31, 2003. He was appointed as director of National Mutual Benefit in 1981 and then was elected by the National Mutual Benefit membership at six consecutive elections.

Dr. Treffert graduated from the University of Wisconsin Medical School in 1958 and interned at Sacred Heart General Hospital in Eugene, Oregon. He returned to University Hospitals in Madison, WI, where he completed a residency in Psychiatry in 1962. He was in private practice until 1999.

After many years of research, Dr. Treffert wrote the book Extraordinary People , first published in 1989 and reissued in 2000, and was a consultant to the movie Rainman , both of which deal with savant syndrome - spectacular abilities in otherwise severely handicapped persons.

He spoke to many insurance and fraternal industry forums while serving as director, including the Million Dollar Round Table, National Fraternal Congress of America annual and section meetings, National Mutual Benefit Conventions, and to grassroots fraternalists at leadership training seminars.

Dr. Treffert served on many Society committees over the years, including the Audit Committee, the Investment Committee, and the Organ Donor Committee and consulted on Fraternal benefits offered to members.

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