Hylant Group Chairman & CEO is Named 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year

TOLEDO, Ohio - June 10, 2005 - Patrick R. Hylant, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Hylant Group, received the Central Great Lakes Region Entrepreneur of the Year for 2005. At a black tie reception sponsored by Ernst & Young on June 9, Patrick was awarded the 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year for the financial services category.

Upon receiving the recognition, Patrick commented, "it is the people at Hylant Group that have made the company successful; I would like to thank the entire team." Under his leadership, revenues have grown by 2,600% and the employee base increased from 21 in 1985 to over 600 team members today. The company has grown from primarily an insurance and risk management firm in the late 80's, to providing other value added services including disease management, healthcare and wellness solutions, wealth management, loss control and environmental risk management services.

Hylant Group is a 70-year old, privately held insurance agency serving businesses and individuals around the world. In addition to the corporate headquarters in Toledo, OH, the firm has offices in Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; Troy and Ann Arbor, Michigan; as well as Indianapolis, Bloomington and Fort Wayne, Indiana. Hylant is a member of the Worldwide Broker Network and is currently ranked by the Hales Report as the 7th largest privately held broker in the nation.