March 25, 2009 (LANSING, MICH.) — At a recent companywide meeting, Accident Fund named Don Farr its 2008 Employee of the Year and Greg Howard the recipient of the company’s first-ever Leadership Award.

Don Farr Receives 2008 Employee of the Year Recognition
Farr first came to Accident Fund’s attention as an outside software consultant and then came on board four years ago, becoming the company’s “go-to” person for identifying and achieving information technology goals.

“Don raises the bar for everyone,” said Accident Fund President and CEO Elizabeth R. Haar, who presented the Employee of the Year award. “He possesses a blend of business, technology and interpersonal skills that are rarely found combined in one person. We’re lucky to have him.”

As a systems architect for information technology, Farr says he’s fortunate to “work with a great team and be surrounded by great professionals that make it easy for people like me to succeed. It’s a pleasure to work at Accident Fund.”

Farr, who joined Accident Fund in 2005, counts on that support — and the support he gets at home from his wife, Mary, and four children — as twin blessings in his life.
Award winners are chosen based on contributions for the previous year. Farr — who is in high demand for every key strategic project and initiative launched at Accident Fund — most recently provided his insight, knowledge and expertise in contractual agreements during an external software audit, saving the company $1.2 million.

Greg Howard Wins Accident Fund Leadership Award
Being recognized for Accident Fund’s inaugural Leadership Award came as a surprise to regional manager Greg Howard, who joined Accident Fund in 2005. “Accident Fund has nearly 100 managers and to be chosen for this award, when I look at the talent across this company, is truly an honor.”

In charge of an eight-state region and a team of 17 underwriting and loss-prevention professionals, Howard logged some 40,000 travel miles last year on the company’s behalf. Under his leadership during 2007-08, Howard’s team developed that region into the largest one in the country for Accident Fund, increasing written premium 22 percent, writing nearly one-third of Accident Fund’s total new business.

“While Greg’s management style may be understated, he’s a hands-on manager who stays very close to his team despite geographical distances,” said Accident Fund Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Britt. “He has the drive to make a difference and leads by example.”

Established in 2008, the Leadership Award is given to a supervisor, manager or director within the company who’s proven to be an outstanding motivational and inspirational leader for his or her team. How well a leader advances his or her team’s overall performance in contributing to the company’s success is also a determining factor.

“I believe it would be difficult to be recognized as a good leader without an outstanding team behind me,” said Howard. “Accident Fund is a very open environment to work in, where I have input into the goals and the freedom to do what I need to do to get the job done.”

Headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, Accident Fund Insurance Company of America is one of the nation’s leading workers compensation insurers with more than $3 billion in assets. Founded in 1912, Accident Fund is rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Accident Fund Insurance Company of America and its subsidiaries (Accident Fund National, Accident Fund General, United Wisconsin Insurance Company and CompWest) are licensed in 49 states plus the District of Columbia*.

*Licensing per state varies by subsidiary.

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