By John Karlen, CPCU, APA, ARe, President

As MTM president, I report to the members of the MTM Board of Directors. Our Board members have a variety of skill sets. Some are MTM business owners and others are MTM member CFOs or Risk Managers. All are results-driven, which forms good benefits and returns for all 932 MTM members. The staff is reminded constantly that MTM only exists for the benefit of the MTM members. MTM has no outside investors or shareholders to worry about.

With that background, I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce a new MTM Board member. On February 20th, Mark Mullen, President of Griggs Steel joined the MTM Board. Griggs Steel is a Steel Service Center that many MTM members use. Griggs Steel has been an MTM member for the last 18 years. Mark received his MBA from Rutgers University and served as an Army Intelligence Captain in both Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Mark also serves on the Board for the United States Cutting Tool Association. The MTM Board knew Mark well. Mark has served on the Board Marketing/Underwriting Committee for 3 years. During that time, Mark has shown interest, insight, and provided excellent input to other committee members and MTM management. It was not surprising to see him progress to the full Board.

Mark’s move to the Board shows the MTM Board structure. The MTM Board has two committees who report to it. One is the Board Investment/Finance Committee and the second is the Board Marketing/Underwriting Committee. These committees are used as a “farm team” (yes, a baseball analogy). While being on the committee, other Board members and management get to see the experience, curiosity, dedication, and interaction of the potential Board member. Before a person is named to a Board committee, I conduct an initial interview. If after that interview both the candidate and I agree we should move forward to the next step, then an interview with an MTM Board member is scheduled. If that goes well, a recommendation letter from the Board member and from me go to the Chairman of the Board for appointment to a Board committee. The new committee member then gets to see the inner workings of MTM and provide their perspective and input on company direction. Now you know how the MTM Board makes things work.