The Distinguished Service Award is presented to managers, directors, or staff of WAMIC Mutual companies submitted by their respective companies who have served their mutual company and/or the industry.  The Distinguished Service Award allows mutual members to request recognition for managers, directors, or staff who have given extraordinary service to that company and/or the industry. 

• Longevity of Service

• Leadership

• Active involvement in the Association

• Active advocacy on behalf of the mutual insurance industry

Congratulations to the WAMIC members we honored this year with the Distinguished Service Award:

Sonia DeBoer
Columbus Mutual

The Columbus Mutual Board of Directors is very pleased to recognize Sonia’s extraordinary commitment to the company. This year Sonia was hospitalized unexpectedly. She continued to perform her duties as the company manager and keep Columbus Mutual running smoothly for 30 days and through 4 different surgeries.

Sandy Horn
Mt. Pleasant Perry Mutual

Sandy has been a very effective, positive leader on the Mt Pleasant Perry Mutual Board. She is a well-respected community partner with many volunteer organizations and county appointments. Sandy has served on the board of directors for 11 years; her leadership has been instrumental in the success of Mt Pleasant Perry Mutual. Sandy has helped to position Mt Pleasant Perry Mutual for the future. We appreciate her hard work, dedication, honesty, and integrity.

Bonnie Olson
Pella Mutual

Bonnie was appointed to the Pella Mutual Board of Directors on 01/21/2014, serving as Board Secretary from 03/19/2019 until her passing on 08/21/2019. She was a very active board member, earning her NAMIC FMDC certification as well as attending numerous seminars & conventions. Bonnie also served on the Shawano County Board, as President of the Ladies Aid at her church, and as a member of the Shawano Blue Skies aviation group.

Sandy Seifert
Seneca Sigel Mutual

Sandy Seifert began her career as General Manager of Seneca, Sigel Mutual Insurance Company on April 15th, 1991 and retired in March of this year. Sandy was an active member of WAMIC serving as District 6 Director and Chair of the Board. She often participated in the Congressional Contact Program and Mutual Day at the Capital.

Al & Ellen Schuettpelz
Maple Valley Mutual

Al and Ellen are very active in their community holding multiple leadership positions and volunteering their time. Al has served in the Lena Community Development Corporation, the Lena Lions Club, and the American Legion Doney Degrave Post 342. Ellen is a member of the Lena American Legion Auxiliary, the Lena Women’s Club, and is active with the Brown County Fair Association.

Al has worked for Maple Valley Mutual since November of 1973. He served as President and CEO of the company from 1975 until his retirement in 2018. Al has actively served the mutual insurance industry throughout his careers as a director and Chairman for Guilderland Mutual Reinsurance, director and Chairman of NAMIC’s Merit Society board, director of the NAMIC Farm Mutual Conference, director and Past Chair of WAMIC, and director and President of Town Mutual Services. Al has been honored with the NAMIC Merit Award, the NAMIC Service Award, and as WAMIC’s Person of the Year in 2008. Al earned his CIC designation from the Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin in 2001.

Ellen has worked for Maple Valley mutual since 1976 as a Farm and Personal Lines Underwriter until her retirement in 2004.

Raynard Zunker
Mutual of Wausau

Raynard has served on the board of Mutual of Wausau since 1990. He served as Board Chairman for 13 years and Secretary/Treasurer for another 9 years. Raynard is a farmer and has helped many farmers through his job at the USDA. The Mutual of Wausau Board of Directors, Management, and staff thank him for his service to our Mutual and our policyholders.