Erie, Pa. -- November 10, 1997 -- Erie Insurance Group today announced that Michael S. Wolfe, CIC, AU, has been appointed branch manager of the Company's Columbus, Ohio office, effective December 1, 1997.

Mr. Wolfe has been associated with Erie Insurance Group since 1989, most recently as branch sales manager of the Warrendale, Pennsylvania branch office. Prior to that he was a district sales manager for The ERIE's Richmond, Virginia branch office. He also previously served as a commercial underwriter and before that as a project research analyst in The ERIE's human resources division. Mr. Wolfe earned his master of business administration degree and bachelor of science degree in economics from Gannon University, Erie, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors. The Erie Insurance Columbus Branch office is located at One East Campus View Blvd., Suite 300. The Branch is staffed by 76 employees and serves Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati and surrounding communities through 70 Insurance Agencies representing Erie Insurance Group.

Erie Insurance Exchange, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 12th largest insurer of private passenger automobiles and the 24th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States.