We are pleased to announce that Chad Friesen has been appointed as Chair of Red River Mutual’s Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2023. Friesen takes over from outgoing Board Chair, Garth Reimer, who held the position since 2018.

“I look forward to supporting the Board of Directors and working with Brenda Gibson and the rest of the leadership team to ensure this legacy is protected while we continue to innovate and grow for the future,” says Friesen.

Friesen began his story with Red River Mutual as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing from 2009-2014. In 2018, he reconnected with the company as a board Director and has served on the Investment & Personnel Committee, Governance & Nominations Committee, and the Audit & Risk Committee.

“I’m proud to be a part of Red River Mutual, a great company that has offered protection and peace-of-mind to so many families since 1875. While the needs of homeowners, businesses, and farms have evolved over that time, a constant has been Red River Mutual’s commitment to providing great insurance products that meet the changing needs of our customers,” says Friesen. “As a mutual company, we have a unique relationship with our customers and with the community, which allows us to think about our business differently than publicly traded companies – balancing financial performance with a focus on improving the lives and stories of our stakeholders.”

As CEO of Friesens Corporation – an employee-owned company serving the trade book, yearbook, packaging, and self-publishing markets – and a Platinum member of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies, a focus on customers and employees is a high priority for Chad.

“Our employees and customers are at the heart of the decisions we are making as a leadership team for Red River Mutual. As we continue to grow and adapt, we are excited to work with our new Board Chair, Chad Friesen, and our Board of Directors to move our company vision forward,” says Brenda Gibson, President & CEO of Red River Mutual. “Chad possesses a wealth of perspective on Red River Mutual’s history that will be hugely beneficial to myself and the rest of our senior leadership team.”

Friesen holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, diplomas in Business Administration and Graphic Arts, as well as a Certificate in Management from The University of Winnipeg. He currently serves as a Steering Committee member for the Canadian Employee Ownership Coalition, which advocates Canada’s federal government for stronger pathways to employee-ownership for Canadian companies, and serves as a Director on the Business Council of Manitoba.

Red River Mutual would like to thank the continued efforts of each of our valued Board members as well as our expanding team of dedicated employees. We would also like to extend our sincerest thanks to outgoing Board Chair, Garth Reimer, for all his contributions to Red River Mutual.