MODERN WOODMEN of AMERICA - About Us

C. Ernest Beane, Rock Island, Ill., will retire from Modern Woodmen of America’s board of directors, effective April 1, 2006. Darcy Callas, Moline, Ill., has been appointed to fill the board position.

Beane has served on the fraternal financial services organization’s seven-member board since 1997. He began his Modern Woodmen career in 1965, serving in the Legal department as assistant counsel. In 1979 he was named assistant general counsel. He was appointed general counsel in 1994 and was elected to Modern Woodmen’s board of directors in 1997.

Callas joined Modern Woodmen’s legal staff in 1983 and has served as assistant general counsel since 1994. Effective April 1, she will become Modern Woodmen’s general counsel.

Callas brings unique experience to her board role. "Darcy has done extensive work in many different areas within Modern Woodmen’s home office, and she has led Modern Woodmen’s corporate planning process for many years," said Modern Woodmen president and CEO W. Kenny Massey. "She also lives our fraternal values. She’s been involved in many activities in the community and serves on the Moline Public Library’s Board of Trustees. Her experience and knowledge can help us further our mission to improve the quality of life for our members."

Callas holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a juris doctorate degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. She also has earned the Fellow, Life Management Institute and Associate, Life and Health Claims designations.