October 23, 2002

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

Allen Karch, CIC Re-Elected Regional Director of the PIIAI

Allen Karch, president of Chaney and Karch Insurance Group d/b/a A&E Insurance Associates, LLC in Mt. Vernon, Ill., has been re-elected to the board of directors of the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI) as Region 1 Director, effective October 1, 2002- September 30, 2003.

As Regional Director, Karch is the principal link between the membership in his region and the PIIAI. As a member of the PIIAI board of directors, Karch works with other board members to approve all policy positions regarding insurance legislation and, through the board, assists with management decisions impacting the association's long-term financial viability.

Karch began his insurance career in 1982 and has been with Karch Insurance for 13 years. He attended Kaskaskia College in Centralia, where he majored in business/accounting. He is a past secretary of the Mt. Vernon Sunrise Rotary and a past President and campaign chairperson of the United Way of Jefferson County. Karch is currently chairperson of the City of Mt. Vernon Parks and Recreation Board and is a member of the Mt. Vernon Elks Lodge. He and his wife, Deb, reside in Mt. Vernon. He has three children: Aaron, Lindsey, and Ian.

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.