Remembering Brian R. Bodager, former President and CEO of the Pension Boards-UCC

The Pension Boards-United Church of Christ, Inc., announced the sudden and unexpected passing of its President and CEO Brian R. Bodager on Feb. 15. Bodager had recently announced his departure from the organization just a few weeks prior on Feb. 1. He is survived by his wife Debbie and his three children, Jonathan, Brandon and Lauren.

Brian expressed his plans to retire from the Pension Boards with a desire to spend more time with his family and focus on his health. A succession plan was put into motion and a formal executive search is underway. The Pension Boards’ Board of Trustees has appointed Walter A. Reyes, who served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, as Interim President and CEO.

Soon after his appointment, Walter A. Reyes shared his gratitude in a LinkedIn post, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Brian Bodager, who served as a mentor to me over the years, helping me to guide and shape our organization as we reached new milestones together. I also want to acknowledge and thank our Board of Trustees for their trust in me, and for the opportunity to lead the Pension Boards during this time of transition. Having grown up with parents who are both pastors, I deeply value our organization’s mission and its commitment to the UCC community. To everyone who has sent well wishes, thank you for your support. Please join me in extending our best wishes to Brian and his family.”

General Minister and President/Chief Executive Officer, the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson shared, “Brian was a wonderful colleague whose leadership and ministry was felt across the UCC. As CEO of the Pension Boards, Brian welcomed me when I started in my role as GMP/CEO and we committed to be in regular conversation. I am grateful for his quiet and grace-filled presence, his quick wit, and his commitments to collaboration. Brian will be missed.” 

In a Pension Boards’ announcement, the Rev. Dr. Rodney Franklin, Chair, Board of Trustees, stated, “Brian was my friend and trusted colleague. 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.”

Brian joined the Pension Boards in 2015, after serving as a member of the Pension Boards’ Board of Trustees for 12 years.  As a former banking executive and attorney, Brian brought more than three decades of financial, investment, and legal experience to serve the Church. He was also a long-time member of Union Congregational UCC in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and a native of Ohio.

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

The Bodager family is also planning a celebration of Brian’s life in June 2025 at a location in Wisconsin that is yet to be determined. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

For any questions, please contact the Rev. Dr. Paul L. Ramsey, Director of Church Relations and Philanthropy, at pramsey@pbucc.org.

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