For Immediate Release
April 22, 2019
Media Contact: Thomas Thamm
(802) 229-8975
[email protected]
MONTPELIER, Vermont (April 22, 2019)—Vermont Mutual Insurance Group®, long recognized as a top 50 Property and Casualty insurer in the U.S., has recently elected two new board members, Mark J. McDonnell, Executive Vice President and COO of Vermont Mutual Insurance Group and Mary Powell, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power, to the Group’s Board of Directors.
With more than 30 years of industry experience with both regional and national carriers, Mark McDonnell brings a commitment to the industry that has earned him designations that include CPCU, CIC, AIT, AAM and AIM. Having joined Vermont Mutual in April 2014, McDonnell currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Group and is responsible for Claims, Marketing, Underwriting, Product & Pricing, Compliance, and Communications. He also serves on several outside industry councils and boards.
As President and CEO for Green Mountain Power since 2008, Mary Powell is nationally recognized as an energy visionary, having positioned GMP as a leading energy transformation company. She initiated and implemented a strategic and comprehensive restructuring of the company that dramatically transformed GMP, and has been the backbone of a cultural transformation and service quality improvements within the Company.
In 2014, Powell was recognized by PowerGen as the Woman of the Year; in 2015 The Burlington Free Press named her Vermonter of the Year, and in 2016 Fast Company named Mary one of the 100 most creative people in business. In 2017 and 2018, Mary was named one of the top 25 Most Influential Women of the Mid-Market by CEO Connection and Conscious Capitalism Media named Mary Powell to its 2018 list of 30 World-Changing Women in Conscious Business. In 2019 and for the third consecutive year, Fast Company named Green Mountain Power one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies, joining recipients such as Apple, Stitch Fix and Peloton for this honor.
Upon welcoming them to the Board, Vermont Mutual’s President and CEO, Dan Bridge, stated “At a time of significant achievements and growth for the Company, we consider ourselves very fortunate to welcome such professionals as Mark McDonnell and Mary Powell to our Board of Directors. We are grateful for their addition to the Board and to be the beneficiaries of their insight and business acumen.”
Citing McDonnell’s numerous contributions to the company, Bridge remarked, “Mark’s tenure here at Vermont Mutual is reflected in the many advancements the company has achieved over the past five years.” Bridge continued “Mark has been instrumental in the company’s leadership transition and modernization initiatives as Vermont Mutual continues to be an industry leader and a stable, predictable, competent partner for policyholders, agency partners and employees.”
Reflecting on Ms. Powell’s accomplishments and expertise, Bridge commented “Throughout her career and most recently as President and CEO of Green Mountain Power, Mary has been an influential presence in Vermont’s business community and beyond.” Bridge added “In addition to the countless accolades and achievements Mary has received throughout her career, she brings an unparalleled business sense and expertise that will be deeply appreciated by our Company and Board.”
Vermont Mutual Insurance Group® is a trade name of Vermont Mutual Insurance Company, Northern Security Insurance Company, Inc. and Granite Mutual Insurance Company. Chartered in 1828, Vermont Mutual is one of the ten oldest mutual property/casualty insurers in the United States and provides coverage throughout New England and upstate New York. Through more than 400 independent agencies, the Group insures over 300,000 policyholders with a direct written premium of more than $475,000,000. The group is rated “A+ Superior” by A. M. Best and a Ward’s Top 50 performing property/casualty insurer in the U.S. for the past ten consecutive years.
###