THE CEO INTERVIEW www.ceotodaymagazine.com 12 W. Kenny Massey is the President and CEO of Modern Woodmen of America - a nearly 140-year-old, memberowned, fraternal financial services organisation based in Rock Island, Illinois. ModernWoodmen serves nearly 730,000 members throughout the United States. W. Kenny Massey President and CEO of ModernWoodmen of America Tell us about Modern Woodmen’s long history and the values it’s built on. Explaining our history starts with sharing the vision behind our name – there’s no woodworking, cabinetmaking or lumberjacks involved. The name was actually inspired by pioneer woodmen, who cleared forests to build homes and communities and provide security for their families. Modern Woodmen’s founder, Joseph Cullen Root, felt this was the perfect symbol to illustrate his goal of clearing away financial burdens for families, and Modern Woodmen of America was born on 5 January 1883, in Lyons, Iowa. The headquarters moved across the Mississippi River to Fulton, Illinois, in 1884 and relocated downriver to Rock Island, Illinois, in 1897. We remain in downtown Rock Island to this day. Modern Woodmen of America is the nation’s third-largest fraternal benefit society in terms of assets. Fraternalism is a unique combination of business and giving back to those we serve – a continuous cycle of positive impact. • Our representatives provide financial products to help members protect their families and their futures. • These products help fund member programs, including social, educational and volunteer activities that identify and meet local needs. • These programs build relationships, allowing for membership growth and greater community impact. Our members are connected by common values, including: • Financial security, through life insurance, retirement planning and financial services. • Quality family life, through fraternal member programs and activities. • Community impact, through local volunteer projects that make a difference where members live, work and play. THE CEO INTERVIEW Together forTomorrow
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