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James C. (Jim) Owen, President and CEO of Missouri Employers Mutual, Missouri’s largest workers’ compensation insurer, will retire at the end of 2023, after more than a decade with the company.

“My time at MEM has been the most rewarding of my career because of our safety mission and focus on improving workplaces,” said Owen. “It’s been an honor to lead a company of professionals who truly live their mission of caring for our customers, communities and one another.”

Owen joined MEM as a member of the Board of Directors in June 2010, later serving as Chair of the Board and then Interim President and CEO from July to December 2011. Since 2012, he has served as President and CEO, setting the vision and strategic direction of the company.

Under Jim’s leadership, MEM has positioned itself as a financially strong, service-centric company that invests in the safety and success of policyholders. During his tenure, MEM partnered with Previsor Insurance, a wholly-owned and independently-managed subsidiary, to expand coverage to Missouri businesses with Kansas exposures. In 2019, Previsor expanded to Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Tennessee – bringing safety services and work comp expertise to the Midwest region.

In 2018, MEM awarded its first safety grant providing funds to selected policyholders for the purchase of safety equipment. Since then, the program has funded more than $2.36 million in safety grants, impacting more than 10,000 employees.

Board Chairman Charles A. Caisley had the following to say about Owen: “We are grateful to Jim for his steadfast leadership and dedication to workplace safety during his tenure at MEM. I am particularly proud of the excellent financial foundation he has built. While we will miss his passion and leadership, we wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

The MEM Board of Directors has begun the process of searching for a successor with the intent to announce a new President and CEO later within a month.