Texas Mutual Insurance Company has announced that Jeanette Ward (pictured) has been selected to serve as the company’s new president and CEO by a unanimous board vote.
Ward will assume her new responsibilities on March 01, 2023, following the retirement of Rich Gergasko, who served as president and CEO of Texas Mutual for the last 10 years.
Initially joining as a receptionist in 1993, Ward has since served in several roles within Texas Mutual. She led strategic planning, had oversight of the claims, safety, and medical network operations teams, and most recently served as chief operating officer. On top of her work for Texas Mutual, Ward is also an active participant in nonprofit organizations such as the American Heart Association, Early Matters Greater Austin, United Way for Greater Austin and the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation.
Ward has received multiple awards and industry recognitions, including being named a Business Insurance Woman to Watch by Business Insurance Magazine, an Executive to Watch by Risk and Insurance Magazine, and one of Insurance Business America’s Elite Women for 2020.
“After an extensive nationwide search, the board was pleased to find our ideal candidate was an internal one,” said Texas Mutual board of directors chairman Ron Simmons. . “Jeanette (Ward) is dedicated to our mission and policyholders. She exemplifies all that we stand for as an organization and will continue to do so as she begins this new chapter in her career.”
“It will be an honor to lead Texas Mutual,” said Ward. “Our board and team members are the best in the industry, and I am proud of how we serve our policyholders and their employees across the state. This company has made tremendous strides over the last three decades, evolving to meet the changing needs of businesses in Texas. I look forward to building on that strong foundation.”
“Jeanette is a servant leader who puts people first—our policyholders, their employees and our employees,” said Gergasko. “Beyond that and her deep institutional knowledge, she is strategic and passionate about our mission to create a stronger, safer Texas. I am confident Jeanette will take Texas Mutual to new heights.”
In January, Texas Mutual named Meredith Duncan president and CEO of its new health-focused subsidiary. Prior to joining Texas Mutual, Duncan served as the president of the Texas market at Bright HealthCare and as chief growth officer for CVS/Aetna in the Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico markets. She also served as CEO of Seton Insurance Company and vice president of accountable care and physician engagement.
