Erie, Pa. – December 16, 2002 – Erie Insurance President and CEO Jeffrey A. Ludrof, CPCU, AIC, CIC, LUTCF, announced today the appointment of several key leadership positions within the company. “We are fortunate to have many talented leaders here at The ERIE,” said Ludrof. “By making these changes today, we are preparing for our company’s continued growth and future success.”

• Thomas B. Morgan, AIS, CIC, will fill the position of executive vice president, Insurance Operations, which has been vacant since Ludrof became Erie Insurance president and CEO in May 2002. Morgan currently serves as senior vice president and division officer, Personal Lines. In his new role, he will be responsible for all property/casualty insurance operations, including agency, claims, underwriting, customer service and branch operations. Morgan began his career with ERIE in 1984. He has served as a claims representative, independent agent and branch manager.
  
  
• Eric D. Root, CIC, AIS, CPIA, will replace Morgan as senior vice president and division officer, Personal Lines. Root currently serves as regional vice president of the Southeastern Region. Root, who joined The ERIE in 1993, has served as a district sales manager and branch manager.
  
  
• Jeffrey W. Brinling, CIC, LUTCF, AIS, will replace Root as regional vice president, Southeastern Region. Brinling currently serves as marketing department manager in the Agency Division. He joined The ERIE in 1988, and has served as a district sales manager, branch sales manager and branch manager.
  
  
• Michael J. Krahe, Ph.D., will serve as executive vice president, Human Development and Leadership. This is a new position at the company. Krahe currently serves as senior vice president of the Human Resources Division, overseeing the departments of Compensation, Corporate Communications, Corporate Design, Corporate Learning, Employment, Employee Relations and Organizational Development. Krahe joined Erie Insurance in 1986 as supervisor of Employment Relations and Services.

“Our culture is what differentiates us from our competitors. We need to be constantly vigilant of what makes ERIE special, and this new executive position ensures that corporate culture will always be considered when making critical business decisions,” said Ludrof.

Known for competitive rates and superior service, Erie Insurance Group is a leading property/casualty insurer in the United States. With more than 3.4 million policies in force, Erie Insurance Group includes seven companies operating in 11 states and the District of Columbia and is rated A++ (superior) by A.M. Best Company. Erie Indemnity Company (Nasdaq: ERIE) is the management company for Erie Insurance Group. Headquartered in Erie, Pa. since 1925, the ERIE provides auto, home, business and life insurance through more than 8,500 independent agents representing 1,750 agencies. For more information and a listing of independent agents representing The ERIE in your community, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.erieinsurance.com