October 23, 2002

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

Daniel C. Pancake Re-Elected Regional Director of the PIIAI

Daniel C. Pancake, senior vice president of USI Midwest in Chicago, Ill., has been elected to the board of directors of the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI) as Region 16 Director, effective October 1, 2002- September 30, 2003.

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

Pancake has served the PIIAI under many titles including Vice President of the Year, Government Relations Committee Chair, Partners Program Vice Chair, PIIAIPAC Banks in Insurance Committee, and Vice President of Region 18. Pancake also serves as co-chair for the Partners Committee. Pancake has also done extensive work on the local level. He is past president of the LaGrange Rotary Club, chairman of the Presbytery of Chicago business affairs committee, president of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce, and a board member of the Chicago Youth Center, Plymouth Place, Inc, and Rich Port YMCA. Pancake and his wife, Raedell, reside in Western Springs. They have five children: Charles, Daniel II, Adam, Kenneth, and Peter.

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.