Progressive Names Karen Barone Its Agency Business National Distribution Leader
Barone brings nearly 20 years' Progressive experience to role aimed at
helping agents profitably grow their business
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio — August 10, 2009 — Karen Barone has been named Progressive's National Distribution Leader for its Agency Business. Progressive is the largest writer of auto insurance through independent agents in the country based on premiums written. Barone will lead Progressive's efforts to help its more than 30,000 independent agencies profitably grow their businesses.
"Independent agents are critical to our success and play a key role for consumers shopping for insurance," Barone said. "Agents provide us with the largest possible retail network; my job is to make sure we're offering them the product, prices, and tools they need to grow with us. I promise to bring my experience and my passion to the position and to be our independent agents' #1 advocate."
Barone's new responsibilities include maintaining and advancing Progressive's leadership role in agent technology which aims to make it easier for agents to sell and service policies. She will also lead Progressive's sales organization which helps agents develop marketing plans to win new customers and retain existing ones in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Barone joined Progressive in 1990 as a manager trainee. Most recently she was the Central Region Personal Lines General Manager, a position she assumed in September 2007. In that role, she was responsible for the Company's personal auto product in 14 Midwest states.
She has also served as a customer service supervisor, claims representative, product analyst, state product manager and regional marketing director.
Barone earned her bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina, and her MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
About Progressive
The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, is one of the country's largest auto insurance groups, the largest seller of motorcycle, and a market leader in commercial auto insurance based on premiums written.
Progressive is committed to becoming consumers' #1 choice for auto insurance by providing competitive rates and innovative products and services that meet drivers' needs throughout their lifetimes, including superior online and in-person customer service, and best-in-class, 24-hour claims service, such as its concierge level of claims service available at service centers located in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States.
More than 30,000 independent agencies sell Progressive products including private passenger auto, Progressive Commercial, Progressive Motorcycle, Progressive RV, etc. Progressive's agency companies make up a group that is the largest writer of auto insurance through independent agents and brokers in the U.S., based on premiums written. Agents and brokers can log in to ForAgentsOnly.com to get an at-a-glance summary of everything they need to manage and grow their business, including agent referrals, quotes, customer policy information, state and countrywide news, and more. Consumers can find an agent at http://www.progressiveagent.com.
The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at NYSE:PGR. For more information, visit http://www.progressive.com.
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