NAMIC Introduces Merchants Mutual's CEO as New Chairman

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Sept. 25 -- The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies issued the following news release on Sept. 23:

The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies welcomed its new chairman - Robert Zak, president and CEO of Merchants Mutual Insurance Company - today during the all-virtual 125th Annual Convention.

The more than 35-year mutual insurance industry veteran credits his success to his life philosophy of doing his best at what he can control and working to mitigate the adverse impacts of the things he cannot. That philosophy led him to create his own guidelines to life, which he shared with the virtual Convention audience.

"In order to increase the chances of NAMIC continuing to be successful under my stewardship, I thought it would be helpful for you to understand how I approach things," Zak said. "I rely on some simple guidelines that have helped me maintain balance and make more sound judgments than poor judgments over the years."

Zak, who is retiring from Merchants Mutual in early 2021, is looking forward to his time as NAMIC chairman, encouraging his fellow NAMIC members to hold him and each other accountable in terms of future success.

"My fellow NAMIC members, state association leaders, and NAMIC staff, I know I can count on you to keep me on the straight and narrow," he said. "You can count on me to put forth my best effort. Our mutual success depends on it."

During the next 12 months, Zak will serve as a leading spokesperson for NAMIC when called on to meet with legislators, regulators, and other industry stakeholders. He will also meet with fellow mutual insurance industry professionals and NAMIC members - in person or virtually, depending on the pandemic conditions - during several state association meetings and conventions.