FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2002

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

Robert Lagestee Presented with PIIAI Regional Director of the Year Award

Springfield, IL, (October 15, 2002)- Robert D. Lagestee, CIC, owner of Lagestee Insurance Agency, Ltd., in South Holland, was presented with the Regional Director of the Year Award by the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI) during the association's annual Convention.

Lagestee, director of region 17, was recognized for his efforts in South Holland to increase member participation in educational classes and other association functions.

Lagestee began his insurance career in 1964 as a Life Insurance salesman for the New York Life Insurance Company. In 1968, he worked as a producer for an independent agent until he purchased his own agency in 1972. Lagestee Insurance Agency, Ltd. has become a large agency, providing insurance for all business types. Lagestee has held several titles within the association including Agency Management Committee member, District 17 Regional Director, Convention Committee member, Commercial Lines Technical Committee, and PIA Board 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.

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