David E. Bevins (Incumbent), District 630

David Bevins has been attending GBU district meetings since he was an infant and has served on the GBU Board of Directors for three years. He is a practicing attorney at Rhoades McKee PC and attended law school at Wayne State Law School in Detroit, MI. He has served on numerous boards, in addition to his tenure on the GBU Board of Directors.

“As a current board member, I have been working with the GBU board and management toward strengthening GBU so that it can provide both the financial and fraternal needs of its members. In particular, as the Chair of the Investment Committee, I have assisted in shepherding (together with management) GBU toward a secure financial future. During these challenging economic times, continuity is important. While my legal skills and experience on other boards provide value to GBU, my experience of growing up in a district and regularly attending district functions, allows me to understand and seek to advance the real heart of GBU—its members.“

Joseph S. Bielecki (Incumbent), District 4000

Joseph Bilecki has been a GBU member since GBU merged with Sokol USA in 2013 and has served on the GBU Board of Directors since 2018. He is currently a lawyer that attended law school at Duquesne University School of Law. He serves as President of GBU District 4000, has served on several boards in the Pittsburgh areas and has given numerous cultural and educational lectures to many Slovak, Polish and Hungarian cultural organizations.

“I have been involved since 1985 in numerous fraternal and cultural activities. I’m committed to the values of fraternalism. I am strongly committed to fraternal and charitable activities. I have helped coordinate and develop many programs through the various organizations with which I have been involved. I have served on the GBU Board of Directors and am committed to the fraternal programming which GBU offers as well as to ensuring that GBU remains a strong and viable fraternal society.”

Donna L. Brophy, FICF (Incumbent), District 171

Donna Brophy has been a member of GBU since 1954 and has served as Fraternal Secretary for District 171 for 25+ years. She is currently working with the Travel Department at SMS Group in Pittsburgh. She attended the University of Pittsburgh, CCAC and Bradford Business School. She is a Fraternal Insurance Counselor Fellow and is a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign War.

“I believe I offer a wide range of experience in the fraternal insurance industry serving as a board member of GBU Financial Life for over 35 years. I have not only chaired the Auditing, Marketing and Fraternal Committees, but also have been a member of the Executive and Planning Committees. I have also attended many conferences and conventions on the national level (AFA), receiving a great education on fraternals and why these organizations are the pioneers of life insurance. Being a member of the board makes me feel that I am doing my part in my community to make it a better place to live.”

Michael A. Cohen, District 999

Michael Cohen has been a GBU member since 2021 and has spent his career consulting fraternals such as GBU and Modern Woodmen on ratings, strategy and risk management. He is currently the Principal of Cohen Strategic Consulting, which advises insurance companies on how to optimize their credit ratings with rating agencies, such as AM Best. Michael attended graduate school at Temple University, majoring in economics and actuarial science. He is the author of Better Behavior + Better Decisions=Less Risk which addresses the human factor of risk management.

“The unique experience and perspectives I have gained as Vice President and head of the life insurance rating group at AM Best (analyzing and rating the entire US life insurance industry) and Principal of Cohen Strategic Consulting (advising well over 100 insurance companies on succeeding with the rating agencies) would be of great value to GBU in a director role. As a consultant to GBU since 2020, I have worked closely with CEO Bill Hunt and his executive team to optimize GBU’s performance on behalf of its fraternal members and demonstrate its creditworthiness to AM Best.”

Lea Ann Hazi (Incumbent), District 818

Lea Ann Hazi has been a member of GBU since 1987 and has served on the GBU Board of Directors for the past 30 years. She is recently retired as Co-owner of Omni Telecommunications in West Palm Beach, FL. Lea Ann attended St. Louis Community College where she focused on computer science. In addition to her tenure on the GBU Board of Directors, she has served on a variety of boards and co-founded a youth ice hockey association.

“Being a successful business owner combined with my fraternal experience has afforded me knowledge and insights concerning the matters of GBU Financial Life. I have served on GBU’s board since 1992 and have been an instrumental part of the sound governance decision-making process. Since my election as GBU Chairman of the Board in 2004, I have strived for not only building upon the solid financial foundation, but also expanding GBU’s fraternal footprint both within GBU’s membership and the community. My competence, integrity and professional talents will serve well in continuing to fulfill GBU’s purpose and mission in the future.”

Christina MacKellar (Incumbent), District 630

Christina MacKellar has been a member of GBU since 1975 and served on the GBU Board of Directors since 2014. She is currently an Executive Sales Underwriter at The Hanover Insurance Group in Howell, MI, and the Fraternal Secretary for District 630. Christina attended Central Michigan University where she majored in Business Management and German.

“I have served on the GBU Board of Directors since 2014. Having grown up in a local GBU district, District 630-Ann Arbor, MI, and serving as one of its officers has served me well on the Fraternal Committee and provided me with a solid understanding and history of GBU, promoting fraternalism and culture. Having a business degree and insurance designations allows me to understand the business side of GBU. Working for a large property and casualty insurance company in sales and underwriting allows me to appreciate the value of the independent agent system and has served me well as chair of the Marketing and Sales Committee.”

David L. Pringle (Incumbent), District 2000

David Pringle has been a member of GBU since 2007 and a member of the GBU Board of Directors for the past 12 years. He has served as an officer and auditor for District 2000 and acted as an advisor to the GBU Board of Directors from 2007-2010 as a result of the ULS/GBU merger. David was recently appointed Shenango Township Real Estate Tax Collector just prior to his retirement from Kirila Contractors this year. David is a graduate of Youngstown State University. David majored in accounting and minored in economics and marketing.

“Recently retired from Kirlia Contractors after working there for 20 years, I was responsible for all accounting functions, finances and investing of excess funds for Kirlia and eight (8) additional sister companies. My prior background was in retail banking, where I had worked for 20 years, attaining the rank of Vice President. I have extensive experience in management and retaining market share. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in accounting and minoring in economics and marketing.”

John B. Schmotzer (Incumbent), District 684

John Schmotzer has been a member of GBU since 1998 and served on the GBU Board of Directors for the past eight years. He has been involved with District 684 since he became a member and was awarded the Francis B. Madison Fraternal Award. John is the President of Metropolitan Window Company in Pittsburgh, PA, and attended Duquesne University where he majored in education. John has been the member of various organizations including the Baldwin Whitehall School District, where he served on the school board for 11 years and was School Board President for two years.

“Having the experience of running a small business for the last 44 years and having the privilege of serving on many boards, I feel I have a lot of skills and knowledge to continue as a director of GBU Life. My goal is to continue contributing to the financial health of GBU Life and its members along with providing fraternal benefits to its membership.”