October 23, 2002

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

James W. Ander Named Vice President of the PIIAI

James W. Ander, partner and executive vice president of Stewart-Keator-Kessberger & Lederer Inc., in Burr Ridge, IL, has been elected to the board of directors of the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI) as Vice President, effective October 1, 2002- September 30, 2003.

As Vice President, Ander will serve as a member of the six-person Executive Committee of the PIIAI board of directors. He will supervise the duties of the Regional Directors of the PIIAI and act as an official delegate of the association at state and national functions.

Ander is a past president of the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of DuPage. He served as chairperson of the Local Board President's and Membership Services Committee, and was a regional director for DuPage. He has been a member of the PIIAI Legislative, Convention, Budget and Finance, and Agent-Company Relations Committees.

On a community level, Ander has served as a president for the Indian Oaks Recreation Association, on the Bolingbrook Police Reserve, and as a Bolingbrook Rotary member. Currently, he is a member of the Bolingbrook, Burr Ridge, and Plainfield Chambers of Commerce. Ander also retired from the Coast Guard Reserve with 22 years of service.

Ander resides in Plainfield with his wife, Karen. He has four daughters: Christine Wentz, Jennifer DeSmedt, Jodi Madejczyk, and Julie Ander.

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.