The Fellowship Open
2023 Honorees
Rich Poirier
2023 Fellowship Open
National Corporate Leadership Honoree
Rich Poirier
Rich Poirier joined Church Mutual in April 2011 as vice president — claims and was promoted to chief operating officer in October 2011. He was named president in 2014. He assumed additional responsibilities as CEO in January 2016. In January 2023, the president's role passed to a senior Poirier team member. Poirier continues to serve as CEO and will do so until his planned retirement in March 2024.
Poirier earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University in 1983. Following graduation, he was given a direct commission in the United States Navy through its Law Education Program. Poirier earned his Juris Doctorate from Marquette University in 1986. Following law school graduation, he entered four years of active duty as a Navy judge advocate in Norfolk, Virginia.
Following his discharge from active duty, Poirier continued his service in the Navy Reserves. He held several prestigious assignments, including two commanding officer tours. He retired in 2010 with the rank of Captain. His numerous awards and decorations include two Navy Achievement Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, and a Meritorious Service Medal.
Poirier is active in numerous professional and civic organizations. He is the immediate past president of the American Property and Casualty Insurers of America (APCIA) and continues to serve on its board. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Aspirus, Inc.; the NTC Foundation; the Marathon County Chapter of the Boys and Girls Club of America, and the Wausau Wolf Pack Youth Lacrosse Association.
Jerome Bettis
2023 Fellowship Open
Legends Honoree
Jerome Bettis
The former Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back is one of the best all-time running backs in the NFL (6th overall in rushing). Jerome Bettis was also the recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2001, and had a Hall of Fame career and has been eligible since 2011.
After graduating from high school in 1990, Jerome Bettis was off to the University of Notre Dame where he was signed as a fullback. During his Notre Dame career, Bettis rushed 337 times for 1,912 yards (5.7 yards per carrying), and made 32 receptions for 429 yards (13.4 yards per catch).
Bettis finished his college career at Notre Dame averaging 5.7 yards per carrying and was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams 10th overall in 1993. He was named NFL Co-Rookie of the Year and also earned Sporting News Rookie of the Year and Rams MVP honors. Bettis followed the team in their move to St. Louis in 1995 before being traded to the Steelers prior to the 1996 season, where he spent the remaining 10 seasons of his illustrious career.
Diagnosed with asthma at age 14, Bettis is a tireless advocate for asthma education and awareness. Bettis founded and establish “The Bus Stops Here Foundation” in 1996 to help improve the quality of life for disadvantaged and underprivileged children. In 2002, he was named the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year for his community involvement and work by his foundation. Bettis and his wife Tameka live in Atlanta, Ga. with their daughter Jada and son Jerome Jr. The Betties also maintain a home in Pittsburgh, Pa. 2006 Super Bowl XL champion Jerome Bettis, one of the National Football League’s most popular retired players, the sixth-best rusher of all-time and a six-time Pro Bowl selection, Currently Jerome serves as a studio analyst for ESPN on all their main shows Sports Center, Number Never Lie, and NFL Live. He is also one of the most sought after corporate spokesmen for some of the largest Fortune 500 companies in this country.
“The Bus” finished his NFL career in January 2006 after 13 seasons, retiring immediately following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 21-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL in his hometown of Detroit. Bettis ranks Sixth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 13,662 yards and is one of six players in NFL history to rush for 13,000 yards. He is one of only eight players in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards for eight or more seasons. He ranks third in NFL history with 3,369 rushing attempts. Bettis was selected to the Pro Bowl six times, including his rookie season.