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Honoring the Life and Legacy of Brian R. Bodager, former President and CEO

It is with profound sadness that we share the sudden passing of Brian R. Bodager, former President and CEO of The Pension Boards-United Church of Christ, Inc., who passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 15. After nearly a decade of service, Brian announced his departure at the beginning of February to focus on his health.

Brian portrait

Brian joined the Pension Boards in 2015, after serving as a member of the Pension Boards’ Board of Trustees for 12 years. He served on the Actuarial, Executive, and Personnel Committees, as well as chaired the Eligibility and Enterprise Risk Management Committees. As a former banking executive and attorney, Brian brought more than three decades of financial, investment, and legal experience to serve the Church.

Prior to the Pension Boards, he served the Wisconsin-based Associated Banc-Corp, a publicly-traded bank holding company, where during his 20-year tenure, he helped grow the company’s assets from $1 billion to more than $20 billion.

Brian was a long-time member of Union Congregational UCC in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and a native of Ohio. He is survived by his wife Debbie and his three children, Jonathan, Brandon, and Lauren.

Walter A. Reyes, who served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrator Officer, has taken the duty of Interim President and CEO while an executive search is underway.

“Brian was my friend and trusted colleague,” said Rev. Dr. Rodney Franklin, Chair, Board of Trustees. “From the onset of his service as President and CEO in 2015, he challenged our executive leadership team to envision the Pension Boards 10 years into the future. That one step propelled the Pension Boards’ staff into new ways of thinking that would further support the organization’s commitment to its mission and its members in advancing our processes and services to better meet the needs of those we serve. Brian will be dearly missed,” he continued.

Recently, in honor of Brian's memory, the Pension Boards’ staff held an online memorial to share their memories of Brian and to celebrate his life. A few comments about Brian are recorded below:

“I spoke with Brian about two to three times a day. If you heard him start a conversation with “query whether” that usually meant that serious brainstorming was going to begin and that he was going to take you to a different place of thinking. He truly was a visionary leader.”

“Brian would always start his conversations with 'Imagine with me,' and we made those ideas work.”

“Brian really cared about the mission, and he truly cared about all of us, the employees of the Pension Boards. His door was always open.”

“He cared about our members and wanted to make sure that they had financial stability in their retirement.”

“His favorite movie was Guardians of the Galaxy.” (This movie revolved around the theme of unlikely heroes coming together to form a family. Each character starts with their own personal struggles and flaws, but they learn to trust and support each other, ultimately becoming a cohesive unit that can overcome great challenges.)

"During a great, tumultuous time in our society, we held Sacred Conversations to End Racism. The diversity we see in our organization doesn't happen by accident. That's leadership."

“I’m grateful that my money is managed by people who had a leader who cared about people, who inspired people, and told people they belonged. It’s a well-run business because Brian cared.”

Rev. Ann Kansfield, Minister of Proclamation at Greenpoint Church in Brooklyn, New York, and the Director of the Counseling Service Unit for the New York City Fire Department, was on-hand to offer staff grief counseling and support. Rev. Kansfield closed the session in prayer expressing thanks for Brian’s leadership, commitment to his work, and offered words of comfort for those who knew him.

A memorial is being planned at The Chapel of The Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, on March 26, 2025.

The Bodager family has also shared that a celebration of Brian’s life will be held in June 2025 at a location in Wisconsin that is yet to be determined. More information will be shared as it becomes available. Please keep the Bodager family in your thoughts and prayers.

For any questions, please contact the Rev. Dr. Paul L. Ramsey, Director of Church Relations and Philanthropy, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..