October 23, 2002

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

Robert D. Lagestee, CIC, Elected Regional Director of the PIIAI

Robert D. Lagestee, CIC, owner of Lagestee Insurance Agency, Ltd., in South Holland, Ill., has been elected to the board of directors of the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI) as Region 17 Director, effective October 1, 2002- September 30, 2003.

As Regional Director, Lagestee is the principal link between the membership in his region and the PIIAI. As a member of the PIIAI board of directors, Lagestee 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.

Lagestee has held several titles within the association including Agency Management Committee member; District 17 Regional Director; Convention Committee member; Commercial Lines Technical Committee member; and Long Range Planning Committee member; Lagestee and his wife, Marie, reside in Crete. Their sons, Randall and Bradley, work for the family agency.

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.