FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2002

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jennifer May, PIIAI Industry Affairs Coordinator
(217) 793-6660 or jmay@piiai.org

Paul Verisario Presented with Agent of the Year Award

Springfield, IL, (October 15, 2002)-Paul Verisario, CPIA, president of All-Security Insurance Agency, Inc., in Des Plaines, was named Agent of the Year by the 1752 Club.

The award was presented to Verisario in recognition of his successful leadership of the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI). Verisario served as President of the association this past year and is now serving as Chairman of the Board for the PIIAI. The award also honors Verisario for representing the Independent Agency System with the highest standards.

He was also honored with the PIIAI President's Award for his excellence in meeting the demands of his term as leader of the association. Verisario is credited with establishing an award to recognize independent agents who go "above and beyond" in the area of community service. He also fought along side independent agents in their battle against the selling of clients' expiration dates.

Verisario has over 26 years experience in the insurance industry. Verisario attended Northwestern University and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration. He has served as chairperson of numerous PIIAI committees including Government Affairs, Budget & Finance, Agent/Company Relations, and Industry Relations. Verisario received the 1992 Chairperson of the Year Award for the Government Affairs Committee, the 1994 Regional Director of the Year Award, and the 1997 Local Board of the Year Award. He served as president of the Certified Professional Insurance Agents Society from 1999-2000, and is past president of the Northwest Suburban Insurance Agents Association Local Board. He is also involved in many local civic activities, including the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree, and the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce. Verisario and his wife, Kathy, reside in Inverness. They have three children: Brian, age 28; Keith, age 26; and Lori, age 23.

The Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois is an association representing independent insurance agents throughout the state. PIIAI membership is comprised of 1,500 insurance agencies representing 12,000 licensed independent agents engaged in all facets of the insurance industry, including property, casualty, life and health. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. In addition to serving the professional needs of members, PIIAI works for the betterment of the insurance industry through legislative and consumer awareness programs. The PIIAI is headquartered in Springfield, Illinois. Visit PIIAI's consumer website at www.ChooseIndependent.com or agent website at www.piiai.org.

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