October 23, 2002

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

Dino Gavanes, CIC, Elected State National Director of the PIIAI

Dino C. Gavanes, CIC, co-founder and president of Premier Risk Services, Inc. in Itasca, Ill., has been named State National Director of the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI), effective October 1, 2002- September 30, 2003.

As State National Director, Gavanes will serve as a member of the six-person Executive Committee of the PIIAI board of directors, and will represent the PIIAI at IIAA functions. He will be responsible for policymaking at the IIAA and will act as a liaison between the PIIAI and the IIAA.

Previously, Gavanes served as Chairman of the Board of the PIIAI. He has served the PIIAI in numerous other capacities as well. Positions include: past President of the DuPage Local Board, Regional Vice President, Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee of PIA National in 1996/'97, Chair of PIIAI Government Relations Committee, and an appointed member of the Bank/Insurance Task Force. As a result, Gavanes is well versed in the legislative arena and has given congressional testimony in Washington, D.C. on behalf of Illinois agents. He is a member of the IIAA Federal and State Government Affairs Committees, and the IIAA Finance Committee.

In addition to his involvement in the insurance industry, Gavanes is a member of the University of Illinois, Chicago Alumni Association advocacy group; DePaul University Alumni Association; the Greater O'Hare Association of Commerce and Industry, and is the chairperson of the Northern Illinois Business PAC.

Gavanes has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. Gavanes graduated from the University of Illinois, Chicago with a bachelor's degree in engineering and DePaul University with a master of business administration degree in finance.

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.