William C. Craine (left) has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of Preferred Mutual Insurance Company. Craine succeeds John C. Mitchell (right), who is stepping down from the role of Chairman and will continue to serve on the board. (Submitted photo)

NEW BERLIN — Preferred Mutual Insurance Company announced that William C. Craine has been elected Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors. Craine succeeds John C. Mitchell, who is stepping down from the role of Chairman and will continue to serve on the board.

Craine has served on Preferred Mutual’s Board of Supervisors since 1978, including previous roles as Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee and Chair of the Audit Committee. He brings decades of leadership experience across insurance, financial services, logistics, and public service, along with deep familiarity with Preferred Mutual’s mutual structure and long-term mission.

In addition to his role with Preferred Mutual, Craine currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit Committee for Willow Run Foods, a regional logistics and food distribution company. His past board leadership includes service as Chairman of multiple financial institutions and nonprofit organizations, as well as extensive experience in governance, audit, and financial oversight.

“Preferred Mutual has a long history of serving policyholders, agency partners, and the communities we call home,” said Craine. “I am honored to step into the role of Chairman and to continue working alongside my fellow board members and the leadership team to support the company’s mission and long-term strength.”

Craine also served as Treasurer and Budget Officer for Chenango County, where he was elected to the role three times and led the county to a debt-free position while earning consistent top-tier fiscal ratings among New York counties. Earlier in his career, he held executive leadership roles within the insurance industry, including helping to build The Mang Group into one of the largest independent insurance agencies in the United States.

“Bill’s long-standing commitment to Preferred Mutual, combined with his experience as a board chairman and financial leader, make him exceptionally well suited to serve in this role,” said Mitchell. “His institutional knowledge, steady leadership style, and focus on governance will be valuable as the company continues to position itself for long-term success.”

Craine holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Carleton College. He has completed advanced board leadership and governance programs through the American College of Corporate Directors, Harvard Business School, and Vanderbilt University.


Preferred Mutual Insurance Company provides property and casualty insurance coverage to individual and business customers through a network of independent agents located throughout New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. In business since 1896, Preferred Mutual is headquartered in New Berlin, New York. The company has maintained a Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) with a ‘Stable’ outlook by AM Best for 23 consecutive years and was recognized as a Top Workplaces USA award recipient in 2024 and 2025. Learn more at www.preferredmutual.com.

— Information from Preferred Mutual Insurance Company