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Beacon Hill's South Central Office Moves

Beacon Hill Associates, Inc.'s south central office has moved to Houston, Texas to better service its agents in this region of the country. Centrally located, the Houston office will allow better access to our fast growing group of agency partners in the south central region. The new office is located at 20333 State Highway 249, Suite 315, Houston, TX 77070. Beacon Hill's south central manager, Brett Amick, may be reached bamick@b-h-a.com.

For the past twenty-three years, Beacon Hill Associates, Inc. has been a leader in providing environmental liability insurance nationwide. Although the company concentrates primarily on environmental business, it also works with agencies on other technically challenging specialty coverages. The organization has two divisions; the wholesale brokerage department, tasked with pursuing appropriate coverage for agents from several top insurance carriers; and the PartnerOne Environmental® underwriting division, specializing in assessing risks and offering an array of environmental insurance products.

Additional information on Beacon Hill Associates and its products and services can be found at www.b-h-a.com or by calling 1-800-596-2156.

McGowan Purchases Assets of Governmental Underwriters of America, Inc.

To Our Brokers:

We are excited to announce that The McGowan Companies (McGowan) has purchased the assets of Governmental Underwriters of America, Inc. ("GUA"). Effective immediately GUA will begin operating under the newly formed "McGowan Governmental Underwriters" (MGU) brand.

Founded in 2006, GUA is known throughout Ohio as the premier provider of Public Entity insurance (municipalities and school districts).

The formation of the "McGowan Governmental Underwriters" brand consolidates all of McGowan's Public Entity operations into one facility. This operation will be headed by Terrence B. Phelan, as its President. David Gosiewski has been named Senior Vice President of the newly-formed company.

All GUA brokers will receive automatic appointments with McGowan and its full range of products and capabilities. Further, all McGowan brokers will now have access to all of GUA's product offerings.

MGU's Umbrella products are available in all 50 states, while MGU's package products initially will be available in OH and PA (with more states coming online soon).

Please note: - Your contacts will not change. - Your current commission structure will remain in place.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Cordially,

Special Markets Insurance Consultants (SMIC) Chicago Office's New Location

To our valued clients and markets:

Special Markets Insurance Consultants (SMIC) in Chicago has recently moved into the AmWINS Brokerage of Illinois office. As many of our long-standing business partners know, we became part of AmWINS Group, Inc. in September of 2012.

The address and main phone/fax number of SMIC's new location is:

10 S. LaSalle Street
Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60603
Main Phone - 312.263.1711
Main Fax - 704.943.9060

All accounts will continue to be serviced as usual, however we ask that you please update your records with our new contact information.

New SMIC Chicago Direct Dials

Rita Linde: 866.439.2088

Natalie Rubino: 312.601.9272

Nate Walker: 312.601.9273

Gail Blanc: 312.601.9274

Lindsey Burkle: 312.601.9271

We appreciate your patience during this transition and look forward to working with you in the future.

Markel Promotes Greg Thompson to President of Markel Specialty

Richmond, VA, November 9, 2012 — Markel Corporation announced today that Greg Thompson, CPCU, ARM, has assumed new responsibilities as President of Markel Specialty, a division of the Virginia-based specialty insurer, Markel Corporation.

Greg has been in the insurance business for over 30 years. He began his career in the brokerage industry and in 1979, formed Thompson Insurance Enterprises (THOMCO) with his father. Greg led THOMCO for 32 years, growing it from a small wholesale operation to a large program administrator. Markel acquired THOMCO on January 1, 2012.

“One of the primary factors leading to our acquisition of THOMCO was the similar history, culture, and values of the two companies. Both have an excellent reputation for integrity, customer service, and underwriting discipline. Greg’s experience growing THOMCO positions him well to lead Markel Specialty as it continues to expand the distribution of specialty products through organic growth and acquisition,” said Mike Crowley, Markel’s President and Co-Chief Operating Officer.

With Greg taking on the role of President of Markel Specialty, Bob Heaphey has assumed responsibilities for THOMCO as Managing Executive.

Bob has more than 25 years of experience in the industry. He joined THOMCO in 1998 as Controller and was later promoted to the position of Chief Operating Officer. For the past two years, Bob has served as CEO of THOMCO and will now oversee all aspects of the THOMCO business as Greg assumes his new responsibilities.

Markel Specialty underwrites specialty insurance for a variety of niche markets, providing property & casualty, workers' compensation, accident and health, personal lines, and admitted and non-admitted property & casualty coverages through its program administrator facility. Visit Markel Specialty at markelinsurance.com.

THOMCO, a Markel company, manages over 20 national programs including medical transportation, senior living, child care centers, fitness clubs, pest control operators, tanning salons, and inflatable rental operators, among others. Learn more at thomcoins.com.

About Markel Corporation
Markel Corporation is a diverse financial holding company serving a variety of niche markets. The Company’s principal business markets and underwrites specialty insurance products. In each of the Company’s businesses, it seeks to provide quality products and excellent customer service so that it can be a market leader. The financial goals of the Company are to earn consistent underwriting and operating profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value. Visit Markel Corporation on the web at markelcorp.com.

NEW EMPIRE GROUP APPOINTS JAMES F. O'NEILL TO HEAD NEWLY FORMED -WHOLESALE DIVISION

New Empire Group, Ltd announced the formation the "New Empire Group Wholesale Division" to be headed by James F. O'Neill, the current Executive VP. New Empire Group, Ltd. is a state-of-the-art managing general agent specializing in insurance programs for the real estate industry.

"For a long time our producers have been asking us to expand our product offerings beyond the real estate programs that we currently administer "says Robert E. Mackoul, CEO of New Empire Group." We are proud of our growth and effectiveness in managing insurance programs, and we're equally proud to have Jim as the head of this division."

Jim O'Neill has broad based experience in underwriting, claims and marketing working for Kemper, The Hartford, Harleysville Insurance and insurance agencies over the past quarter century.

O'Neill joined New Empire Group in 2006 as the Director of Marketing and Business Development and has spearheaded the growth of New Empire from a regional Managing General Agent (MGA) to one with a national focus by building the New Empire producer base throughout the country.

Jim is a Board member for the Long Island Insurance Community (LIIC), a charitable organization that raises money for the United Way of Long Island, and actively supports multiple other charities. His is married with one son and lives on Long lsland.

For more Information:
Jimo@newempiregroup.com
New Empire Group, Ltd
25 Nassau Lane
Island Park, New York 11558
866-431-8100
www.NewEmpireGroup.com

Prime Insurance Company

Chicago, IL and Salt Lake City, UT, February 23, 2012. Prime Insurance Company, a premier excess and surplus lines carrier announced today that Mark Fisher has been promoted from Vice President and General Counsel to President and General Counsel of Prime's parent company. A fifteen year veteran of Prime, Mr. Fisher's team has managed over 20,000 professional, property and liability claims and litigated cases. He is a licensed attorney in California, Utah and Washington D.C.

"Mark has demonstrated leadership and management skills that are not only deserving of the position, but will benefit the entire organization," said Rick J. Lindsey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Prime. "I look forward to working with Mark in his new capacity."

Prime is an excess and surplus lines insurance carrier offering solutions for hard-to-place property and casualty risks. Prime has a track record of performing significantly above industry averages reporting a combined ratio of 70.7% and 68.9% for 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Prime is an eligible carrier in 46 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands with offices located in Chicago and Salt Lake City.

For more information about Prime Insurance Company, please visit us at www.primeis.com.

Global Special Risks, LLC (GSR)

Global Special Risks Relocates Calgary Office

HOUSTON, TX - Global Special Risks, LLC (GSR),part of Ryan Specialty Group, LLC, announced that their office in Calgary, Alberta, Canada is now located at Bow Valley Square 2, Suite 3300, 205 - 5th Avenue, SW, Calgary, AB Canada T2P 2V7. The new telephone number is (403) 538-4768.

Opened in 2010, GSR's Calgary office is under the direction of Selena Halasz. Since the opening of the Calgary office, GSR has seen tremendous growth in Canada and plans to expand further in 2012.In addition to the Calgary office, GSR has offices in New Orleans, Houston and Dallas.

About Global Special Risks
Global Special Risks(GSR) is part of Ryan Specialty Group, LLC. Founded in 1979, GSR specializes in delivering dynamic, innovative solutions for energy, marine, and specialty needs, offering a broad range of products, in-house binding authorities, and worldwide resources. www.globalspecialrisks.com.

About Ryan Specialty Group, LLC (RSG)
Ryan Specialty Group, LLC is a global holding company which includes a select group of highly-specialized underwriting companies, a Lloyd's insurer and other specialty services designed specifically for agents, brokers and insurers. www.ryansg.com

For more information on this release, contact Chelsey Krull, (312) 784-6043, ckrull@ryansg.com.