Gary W. Thompson

Gary W. Thompson retired as president and CEO and vice chair of the board of Columbia Insurance Group on January 1, 2024.  He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his MBA with an emphasis in risk management and insurance from Walden University. A lifelong learner, Thompson pursued professional education, earning the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, Certified Insurance Counselor, Associate in Reinsurance, and Associate in Information Technology designations.

Thompson has served on various boards and committees for local, state, and national professional organizations, including the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. He served on the NAMIC board and is a past chair of the Property Casualty Conference and NAMIC Merit Society boards. He currently serves on the boards of Central Bank of Boone County and Boone Health, Inc. and is a trustee of Boone Hospital.

Thompson has been an active volunteer in his community, including service as campaign chair, director, and board president of the Heart of Missouri United Way and as a director and board chair of Job Point, Inc. He also served as a board member and finance committee chair for the University of Missouri Alumni Association. He remains active in the Columbia Area Chamber of Commerce, where he has served in numerous capacities including treasurer, board member, and chair of the Budget & Finance Committee and Leadership Columbia. He presently serves on the City of Columbia Airport advisory board and the University of Missouri Trulaske College of Business Risk Management & Insurance advisory board. He is also active in his church and several small group ministries.