AFC Allied Capital Corporation

WORCESTER, Mass., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Citizens and Hanover Insurance Companies have named John C. Robinson regional president of its emerging Midwest region, effective immediately. In this role, he will manage all aspects of sales and distribution for the companies' commercial and personal lines operations in Indiana, Ohio and Illinois, further developing the companies' presence in these areas. "John's leadership skills and strong industry background, together with his extensive knowledge of the Midwest market, will help us to extend our reach to our agents and their customers in the region," said Robin A. Nicks, president of the Citizens and Hanover Central region. "We are very excited to have John join our team." "John's background with both smaller and larger companies make him the perfect addition to the team of professionals we have been building over the last year to create a company that provides all the advantages of both national and regional companies," said Marita Zuraitis, president the Citizens and Hanover property and casualty companies. "Working together with our other regional presidents, John will help us bring even greater focus to our agent- centered business model, ensuring that we continue to meet the critical needs of our agency partners by providing the best possible, and easiest to use, products, services and technologies." Robinson comes to Citizens and Hanover from Liberty Mutual, where he served in various senior leadership roles over the last eight years. Most recently, he was president and chief executive officer for Liberty Mutual's Regional Agency Markets Montgomery Insurance Company, in Sandy Spring, Md., where he directed field and home office operations. From 2001 to early 2003, Robinson was president and chief executive officer of GoAmerica Auto Insurance in Indianapolis, Ind., and America First Insurance located in Dallas, Texas. From 1997 to 2001, Robinson served as regional vice president, state of Indiana, for Indiana Insurance. Before joining Liberty Mutual, Robinson held several senior management positions with the Netherlands Insurance Companies, a division of ING's U.S. property and casualty operations. Robinson began his career as a senior staff accountant with Ernst & Young in Toronto. Robinson is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. He also holds CGA (Certified General Accountant of Canada) and CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designations. The Citizens and Hanover Insurance Companies together are ranked among the top 35 property and casualty insurers in the country and are subsidiaries of Allmerica Financial Corporation (NYSE:AFC). Worcester, Massachusetts-based The Hanover Insurance Company, founded in 1852, and Howell, Michigan-based Citizens Insurance Company of America, founded in 1915, offer a range of property and casualty insurance coverages to individuals, families and businesses through a network of independent agents. CONTACTS: Investors: Sujata Mutalik Media: Todd M. Peckham (508) 855-3457 (508) 855-4460 DATASOURCE: The Citizens and Hanover Insurance Companies CONTACT: Sujata Mutalik, +1-508-855-3457, , or Todd M. Peckham, +1-508-855-4460, , both of Allmerica Financial Corporation

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