MEM, a regional workers compensation insurance provider, announced the expansion of its board of directors to include four additional new members. MEM is governed by the board; the slate of 9 members was elected by MEM policyholders at the 2024 annual meeting. The board provides active governance, shaping the company’s strategic direction, ensuring robust financial performance, and upholding rigorous compliance standards. Terms for new board members began Jan. 1, 2025.
“This dynamic and highly accomplished board brings a wealth of strategic vision and diverse expertise that will be instrumental in propelling our growth,” Chuck Caisley, chair of the MEM board said. “Their collective leadership will ensure we not only maintain, but solidify, our position as the region’s leading work comp provider.”
MEM has added the following members to its board of directors:
Hayley E. Hanson is Partner at Husch Blackwell and has more than 20 years of experience in education law. In addition to legal work, Hanson is a sought-after speaker who educates institutions on risk management and compliance.
Gloria Carter-Hicks is President and CEO of Hicks-Carter-Hicks and has more than 25 years of experience in human resources and organizational development. Her current role involves consulting with executives on organizational development, change management, human resources, learning and development, and talent management.
Slyvester (Sly) James, Jr. is Co-Founder of Wickham James and has a rich background that includes serving his country as a military police officer, a successful legal career and a transformative tenure as Mayor of Kansas City. He is known for tackling tough issues and is a champion for diversity.
Roger S. Walleck is President and CEO of MEM and is responsible for the vision, direction, and strategic development of the company, as well as overall management and business implementation. Prior to MEM, Walleck spent more than a decade in leadership positions at the Meadowbrook Insurance Group, most recently as Chief Underwriting Officer and Executive Vice President. In this role, he set underwriting appetite, tolerance, and limits for carriers of the group. He also oversaw all underwriting activities and the development of predictive analytic models. Walleck held several positions with Liberty Mutual before joining Meadowbrook.
The remaining board of directors include:
Charles A. Caisley is Senior Vice President of Marketing and Public Affairs, and Chief Customer Officer of Evergy, a vertically integrated investor-owned electric utility company serving Missouri and Kansas.
He leads the Customer Service, Energy Solutions and Public Affairs areas with responsibility for the company’s small-scale generation projects, energy products and services platform, energy efficiency and demand response portfolio, community and customer strategy and communications, marketing, economic development, governmental affairs, customer service, billing and public relations functions. Caisley has served on the MEM Board of Directors since 2011.
James C. (Jim) Owen retired as President and CEO of Missouri Employers Mutual in 2023 after 13 years with the company. Owen joined MEM as a member of the Board of Directors in June 2010, later serving as the Chair of the Board and then Interim President and CEO from July to December of 2011.
Prior to MEM, he was a partner in the law firm McCarthy, Leonard, & Kaemmerer and spent more than 30 years representing various national insurance companies in the areas of insurance coverage, reinsurance, insurance insolvency, state and local taxation litigation, public pension, commercial and business law, and class actions. He was also his firm’s lead personal injury litigator. He is on various insurance boards, not-for-profit boards and associations, including the Missouri Supreme Court’s Appellate Practice Committee. He remains a member of the Missouri Bar.
W. Thomas Reeves retired December 30, 2022 as Executive Vice President and St. Louis Market Chairman of Busey Bank, a $12.5 billion community bank based in Champaign, Ill., following a 46-year career in banking and community development. Reeves also served as Executive Director and co-founder of Downtown Now!, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization created to finalize and implement the Downtown Development Action Plan for St. Louis. Reeves has served on the MEM Board of Directors since 2012.
Herman A. Styles, Jr. is an Owner and Partner of Colton’s Restaurant and Grill in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, as well as six other successful restaurants in Missouri and Illinois. In this position he shares in the overseeing of operations, development of managers and marketing plans. He also serves on the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center Board of Directors and is the current President of the Missouri Restaurant Association.
Joe L. Moseley retired from Shelter Insurance Companies in August 2014 after 20 years of service, the most recent decade as Vice President of Public Affairs. Moseley’s honored career has also included time as Assistant Public Defender, Boone County Prosecuting Attorney and Missouri State Senator.
He has a strong history of community involvement and currently serves on the board of directors of Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, The Callaway Bank and The Roots N Blues Foundation. Moseley has received numerous honors and awards, including the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award and the Ann Dandurant Award from the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse. Moseley has served on the MEM Board of Directors since 2015.
About MEM
MEM (formerly Missouri Employers Mutual and Previsor) is your Midwest regional workers compensation insurance partner. With 200,000 covered lives and decades of experience, we are committed to serving businesses of all sizes. Our personalized approach focuses on keeping your workplace safe, strong and productive. Learn more at mem-ins.com.