Mark Afable and Cory Nettles join the American Family board of directors
American Family's board of directors has elected two new members, Mark Afable and Cory Nettles. They will begin their service Jan. 1, 2024.
The board of directors of American Family Insurance Mutual Holding Company has elected two new members, Mark Afable and Cory Nettles.
Afable, former Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner, and Nettles, founder and managing director of Generation Growth Capital, will join the board on Jan. 1, 2024.
“A strong board of directors with broad and diverse experience and backgrounds is essential to fulfilling our purpose as a mutual company,” said Bill Westrate, chair-elect of the board and American Family chief executive officer. “Mark Afable and Cory Nettles bring unique perspectives and expertise that will make our board, and our organization, even stronger as we create and execute strategy that serves our policyholders.”
Afable served as the Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner from 2019 to 2021. As a key member of the governor’s cabinet, his tenure was shaped by the pandemic, and he played a critical role in the state’s multifaceted response. As commissioner, Afable was responsible for regulating insurance in the state, including health insurance, life insurance and P&C insurance, which were significantly impacted by COVID-19.
Prior to his appointment as commissioner, Afable had a distinguished, 25-year career at American Family Insurance. This included leadership roles in compliance, government affairs, claims and the general counsel’s office. He became chief legal officer in 2014 and served in that capacity until his retirement from the organization in 2019.
Afable holds a bachelor’s degree and a JD from Marquette University.
Nettles founded Generation Growth Capital, a private equity firm focused on providing capital to small businesses and lower-middle market companies in the upper Midwest. Nettles has a successful track record as a private equity investor, and his firm also focuses on having positive impacts on families, small businesses, and communities.
Nettles also brings extensive board experience. He has led the boards of multiple companies, and he’s currently a member of three public company boards: Associated Bank, a Midwest-based bank, Weyco Group, a consumer footwear company, and Baird Mutual Funds Inc., a mutual fund complex.
Nettles holds a bachelor’s degree from Lawrence University and a JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Enterprise President Telisa Yancy was appointed to the board earlier this year. Chief Executive Officer and Chair-elect Bill Westrate will become chair of the board on Jan. 1, 2024, succeeding his predecessor, Jack Salzwedel.
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About the American Family Insurance Group
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 12th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 301 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, The General, Homesite and Main Street America Insurance. Across these companies the group has nearly 13,000 employees nationwide.