|| Hylant Group - Insurance, Risk Management, Consulting ||

Hylant Group Adds New Vice President to Grand Rapids Office

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan - February 15, 2007 - Hylant Group has hired Sharon Hayward as vice president of its Grand Rapids office to design and structure large account property and casualty placements for the full-service business insurance brokerage.

With 23 years experience in the insurance industry, Hayward has worked closely with manufacturing, construction, healthcare and technology/biotechnology clients in support of their risk management programs. She has specialized experience in loss sensitive programs and captive insurance placements, as well as executive risk coverages.

"Because of Sharon’s diverse client portfolio, she has extensive expertise in implementing long-term property and casualty solutions for a number of industry sectors,” said Len Dyer, president, Hylant Group Grand Rapids. “Bringing new talent such as Sharon on board ensures that our existing and prospective clients receive the best possible client service."

Prior to joining Hylant, Sharon served various roles with Marsh USA, Inc.’s Denver and Grand Rapids offices. She also served as vice president and healthcare practice leader of Aon Risk Services, Inc. in Denver.

Sharon attended The University of Denver in Denver, Colo., where she received her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She served as a member of Healthcare Financial Managers Association (HFMA) and Colorado Healthcare Association of Risk Managers. She is a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).

Founded in 1935, the Hylant Group is a full-service business insurance brokerage with 11 offices in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Tennessee. Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, the Hales Report ranked Hylant as the sixth largest privately held brokerage in the United States in 2006.

With more than 635 professionals, the firm is positioned to serve a wide variety of clients locally, nationally and internationally. A member of the Worldwide Broker Network, Hylant offers complete risk management services, employee benefits consultation, loss control, 401(k) and financial services, healthcare management and insurance for businesses and individuals.