FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 19, 2001

CONTACT:
Kathy Strawn/Mary Bonelli
614/228-1593

INSTITUTE ELECTS NEW OFFICERS FOR 2001

COLUMBUS - R. Douglas Haines, president and CEO of Buckeye State Mutual Insurance, Piqua, Ohio, was elected chair of the Ohio Insurance Institute (OII). His one-year term began Jan. 1, 2001. Haines has been affiliated with Buckeye State Mutual Insurance since 1972 and has served in his current capacity since 1992. Haines succeeds Larry R. Plum, senior vice president of Cincinnati Insurance Co., as OII chair.

The election of Haines and other officers took place at the 2000 OII Annual Meeting in Westfield Center, Ohio. F. W. Purmort, chairman of the board and president of Central Mutual Insurance Co., Van Wert, Ohio, was elected secretary. Tod Carmony, president of Wayne Mutual Insurance Co., Wooster, Ohio, was elected treasurer. Purmort and Carmony also began their one-year terms Jan. 1, 2001. Daniel J. Kelso continues to serve as president of the OII.

Five individuals were elected and began serving three-year terms on the OII Board of Trustees, commencing Jan. 1, 2001. They are: Tod J. Carmony, Wayne Mutual Insurance Co., Wooster, Ohio; Mitsu Diley, Great Oaks Insurance Co., Dublin, Ohio; Terry S. Hoag, Miami Mutual Insurance Co., Troy, Ohio; Linda Laurich, American Family Insurance Group, Schaumburg, Illinois; and John P. Murphy, Western Reserve Group, Wooster, Ohio.

The OII is a trade and public information association representing insurance companies and agent groups for the property/casualty insurance industry. Its primary objective is to help Ohioans achieve a better understanding of insurance and related safety issues.

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