Fels Named Interim President of Nichols College

Gerald Fels has been named interim president of Nichols College. A 1966 graduate of the College and former chair of its Board of Trustees, Fels will assume the post on July 1 and serve until a permanent successor is appointed to replace Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., who, in May, announced her resignation as president to head Peace College in Raleigh, N.C.

“Jerry is the ideal choice for Nichols during this transition,” says John H. McClutchy Jr. ’72, Nichols current board chair. “As chair of the board, he led Nichols during its financial turnaround and gained a deep knowledge and understanding of the College’s operations. Nichols has benefited from his considerable financial leadership and management expertise and has become a stronger, more secure institution because of it.” Plus, he adds, “Jerry has a genuine affection for Nichols and an interest in its future which is evident in the generous and dedicated support he and his wife Marilyn have shown over the years.”

This week, Fels announced his retirement as chair, CEO and president of the Commerce Group Inc. at the annual meeting of its owner, MAPFRE/USA. Fels joined the Commerce Insurance Company in 1975 as chief financial officer and became CEO in 2006. A CPA, he earned an MBA from Babson College. Fels will continue to serve as a member and vice chairman of the Board of Directors of MAPFRE/USA. He will also be an active board member of their various insurance operating companies and serve on the board’s newly created Audit Committee. Jaime Tamayo has been appointed to succeed him as CEO.

A member of the Nichols Board of Trustees since 1994, Fels served as chair from 1998 to 2004. He has remained actively involved with Nichols as a trustee emeritus.

“I am proud of what Nichols has accomplished and, as an alumnus, I have a vested interest in keeping the momentum going,” says Fels. “During this interim period, I will work to ensure Nichols remains true to its mission and continues on its path of excellence until the next president ushers in a new era for Nichols.”

The presidential search process is underway to find a permanent replacement for Townsley, who served Nichols for the past 12 years.