EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -

The president of van Wagenen Financial Services is stepping down at the end of this month, the company revealed this week.

Retiring after several decades with the company, Mary Wood — who has served as president since 2004 — will be replaced by William Nutt, who formerly served as president and chief executive at United Guaranty Corp.

Wood has been with van Wagenen since 1975, when she was the fifth employee of the company. In her administrator’s role, she worked throughout nearly every part of the company, covering claims, customer service and operations.

She became vice president of operations in 1977 and took on the role of executive vice president and chief operating officer in 1999.

Said to be a key component in van Wagenen’s technological development, Wood helped rollout the company’s auto insurance tracking program. Additionally, she played an integral role in building the collateral protection business at van Wagenen.

“I feel privileged to have worked for such an outstanding company,” Wood shared. “It’s been an honor to lead the finest teams of individuals in this business.
van Wagenen exemplifies honor, trust and respect, and I’m proud to have contributed to its success,” she continued.

Nutt added: “I am very pleased and honored to be joining such a great company with an outstanding team of associates. During her long career with van Wagenen, Mary Wood has built a tremendous organization that is highly respected in the industry, and she leaves behind a solid foundation of excellence upon which we can continue to build.”

Her last day will be Tuesday.

“For 36 years I’ve lived all the dynamics of a family at work — births, deaths, challenges and successes. I will truly miss the daily interaction with my team,” Wood concluded.