Chris Duble, Fred C. Church’s Chief Executive Officer and Client Executive, has announced his plans to retire from his long and distinguished insurance career at the end of 2024.
Chris began his career in 1976 with Chubb Insurance. Following a decade of service on the carrier side, he joined Fred C. Church, fulfilling a passion to work directly with policyholders. While knowledgeable in all aspects of insurance, Chris found a true calling in providing risk management and insurance solutions for educational institutions. In 1994, Chris co-founded Fred C. Church’s Education Practice, starting the division with just three private independent schools as clients. Chris was appointed CEO of the firm in 2015.
Mike Reilly, Fred C. Church President and Chairman, says, “With Chris as the practice leader, our education business has experienced enormous growth and success. Today, this practice supports nearly 400 educational institutions nationwide, including independent K-12; charter and public schools; colleges and universities; and experiential education programs. Chris’ efforts have allowed us to become a national leader in the education insurance space.”
As a highly respected industry veteran, Chris has been invited to work with many of his clients’ trustees; has spoken at numerous risk management and insurance-related conferences and events; and has published meaningful thought leadership articles in a variety of industry publications. Chris has also served as Fred C. Church’s representative on the board of Assurex Global and on the United Educators Broker Advisory Committee.
About heading into retirement, Chris shares, “I am deeply proud that I have played a part in helping our business clients become stronger and safer organizations. But by far, the greatest pleasure of working at Fred C. Church has been the relationships I have been lucky enough to develop. There are so many hard-working, talented, and fun colleagues and amazing education clients that I now call my true friends. I have loved my work and am incredibly grateful to have had this journey.”
Sam Daume, Fred C. Church Senior Vice President and Client Executive, has been tapped to be the new Education Practice Leader, effective January 1, 2024. Since joining Fred C. Church in 2009, Sam’s primary focus has been on managing relationships and solving complex risk and insurance challenges for educational institutions, outdoor and adventure operations, and nonprofit organizations of all types and sizes.
“I will be filling some big shoes,” Sam says. “Chris and I were friendly competitors for many years until I finally joined him on the Fred C. Church team. It is the smartest career decision I have ever made. Chris has been a fantastic mentor and an advocate for me, my colleagues, and our clients. Thanks in no small part to his years of investment in people, our Education Practice is thriving. I am incredibly honored and excited to have the chance to continue our growth as a national leader.”
Like Chris, Sam got his start as an underwriter at Chubb nearly four decades ago. However, most of his career has been spent as a broker, and he has assumed many leadership positions, including running the Northeast Higher Education Practice at one of the largest global brokerage firms. Sam also served for many years as a board member and president of the Massachusetts Association of Independent Insurance Agents. He recently finished a six-year term as Treasurer and Finance Committee chair for Pingree School in South Hamilton, Massachusetts.
About his successor, Chris says, “I am retiring knowing with confidence that there will be a seamless transition at the top of the Education Practice. Sam has been an extremely effective and dedicated member of the Fred C. Church team and has unparalleled experience with educational institutions. He is the embodiment of our firm’s values of hard work, integrity, and reliability, and is committed to giving his all to support clients and colleagues. Fred C. Church’s education clients will be in very good hands.”
