WESTFIELD CENTER, Ohio - April 16, 2007 - JWestfield Insurance and its employees have been recognized for their political and community involvement by the commonwealth of Kentucky and by the Showalter Group, winning an award for innovative grassroots efforts.

Kentucky Colonels commissioned
Westfield's Chief Legislative Officer Dan Sondles and Government Relations Manager Sally Estvanic were commissioned Kentucky Colonels by Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher in recognition of their service and accomplishments on behalf of others.

The highest honor awarded by the commonwealth, Sondles and Estvanic received the Kentucky Colonels commission because of their dedication and leadership towards making Kentucky a better place to live and to do business through community and economic development projects. In addition, this prestigious award honors Sondles and Estvanic's continued contributions of insurance ideas and practices to Kentucky's state legislature, insurance committees, trade associations and department of insurance.

Political Involvement Program Innovation Award
The Showalter Group recently awarded Westfield Insurance the 2007 Political Involvement Program Innovation Award. This award acknowledges corporations, associations, service providers and not-for-profits that seek to improve and enrich their political involvement opportunities. Westfield Insurance was recognized for GrOW, an exciting new initiative launched in 2006 to revitalize and improve the Company's grassroots political programs and participation among employees.

"I am proud of our GrOW team's political involvement," commented Sondles. "Their efforts best reflect our Company's personal respect for people and our commitment to ethical conduct and the communities in which we live and insure."

GrOW, which stands for Grassroots of Westfield, is owned by employee members and encourages employees and our insurance agency partners to become involved in local government and community activities. GrOW also communicates activities of national, state and local political parties, federal or state caucuses or legislative campaigns, and other industry trade organizations.

In business for nearly 160 years, Westfield Insurance, a member of Westfield Group, provides commercial and personal insurance and surety services to customers in 28 states. Westfield markets its products through more than 1,200 leading independent insurance agencies. Westfield Group provides banking through Westfield BankSM and agency support through Westfield Services, Inc.

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