WESTFIELD CENTER, OH - April 5, 2007 - Michael Prandi has been named senior executive of claims operations at Westfield Insurance. He is responsible for more than 600 employees in 42 service office locations managing more than 152,000 claims a year.

Prandi began his career at Westfield 18 years ago as a claim and storm representative in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Since that time, he has served as a service office manager in Venice, Florida, and Louisville, Kentucky, and as a regional executive for Westfield Insurance's Southern region. Most recently, Prandi served as senior executive of complex claims and litigation where he was responsible for all significant financial exposures in the workers' compensation and casualty and property areas as well as for the catastrophe response of the Company.

"I am honored to lead Westfield's claims operation, and it is a request I do not take lightly. We have a long tradition of providing outstanding service to our customers and agents - a tradition I want to carry forward for years to come," said Prandi. "I have spent my entire career at Westfield because of the people. It is a great place to work."

Prandi earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Ashland University and an executive masters degree in business administration from Case Western Reserve University. He holds the following designations: Charter Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Reinsurance (ARE), Associate in Insurance Services (AIS), Associate in Claims (AIC) and Senior Claim Law Associate (SCLA). Prandi currently resides in Medina, Ohio, with his wife, Shelley, and three daughters, Leanne, Katie and Rebecca.

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. Learn more about Westfield Insurance at www.westfieldinsurance.com.

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