Erie, Pa. --- August 18, 1997 -- Erie Insurance Group will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Branch Office in Parkersburg, West Virginia on Monday, August 18, 1997.

ERIE's new office is located at 3700 Poplar Street, Suite 200. The office serves West Virginia and parts of Ohio through over 100 Insurance Agencies representing Erie Insurance Group, and is staffed by more than 70 ERIE employees. The Parkersburg Branch Office was previously located at 2200 Grand Central Avenue in Vienna, West Virginia.

Executive Officers from ERIE's Home Office in Erie, Pennsylvania will join members of the Parkersburg Branch Team of Employees for the grand opening celebration. The ribbon cutting ceremonies are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and will be followed by tours of the facility from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

ERIE executives expected to attend the grand opening include Stephen A. Milne, President and Chief Executive Officer; John J. Brinling., Jr., Executive Vice President; George R. Lucore, Senior Vice President, Agency Division; Jeffrey A. Ludrof, Senior Vice President, Claims Division; James R. Roehm, Senior Vice President, Corporate Services; and Terry L. Hammon, Regional Vice President. Jerrold V. Murphy is Vice President and Manager of the Parkersburg Branch Office.

Erie Insurance Group opened its first office in Parkersburg in October, 1970. Erie Insurance Exchange is the fourth largest insurer of private passenger automobiles in West Virginia. It is also the 12th largest insurer of private passenger automobiles and the 24th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States. Erie Indemnity Company is the principal management company for the member companies of the Erie Insurance Group, which includes the Erie Insurance Exchange, Flagship City Insurance Company, Erie Family Life Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property and Casualty Company and the Erie Insurance Company of New York.