Economical Mutual Insurance Company announced that, effective January 4, 2016, John Bowey is the new chair of the board of directors following the decision by Gerry Hooper, board chair since March 2005, to step down. Mr. Hooper's decision triggered the board chair succession plan. Mr. Hooper intends to continue serving on the board until the expiry of his current term in 2018.

In conjunction with this succession, David Wilson has been appointed chair of the board's special committee on demutualization, a position Mr. Bowey held since July 2011. Mr. Bowey will continue to serve as a member of the special committee.