Timothy G. NeCastro, president and CEO, Erie Insurance, together with his executive leadership team, announce operational and senior leadership changes to further position the company for continued growth and exceptional service. Under the executive leadership of Lorianne Feltz, Claims and Customer Service represent ERIE's critical front-line touchpoint with customers. The changes in these areas will further align the organization and create efficiency and the opportunity for sharing knowledge between complementary disciplines. Corporate and Field Claims, currently separate divisions, will be combined under the leadership of Senior Vice President Chris Zimmer. Zimmer joined ERIE in 1991 as a district sales manager. He has progressive experience within sales and claims operations, including branch manager, Charlotte, N.C., regional vice president of the Southeastern Region, and his current role as senior vice president, Field Claims Operations. Pat Burns, currently senior vice president of Corporate Claims, will take on the role of SVP, Customer Service, bringing together all customer contact operations. He started with ERIE as claims manager for Indiana. He most recently served as senior vice president, Corporate Claims, a position he took on in May 2014. Burns also served as interim executive vice president, Services, during the summer of 2016. Dave Russo, currently vice president, Processing Operations, Customer Service, will be promoted to senior vice president of the newly formed Service Operations & Support Division. This area aligns quality and systems administration across Claims and Customer Service. Russo has a breadth of experience in underwriting and customer service roles at ERIE. He joined the company in 1988 as a commercial rater. Strong, relevant products drive sales and effective underwriting drive profitable growth that improves the success of ERIE's independent agent force. The changes in Sales and Products, under the leadership of Executive Vice President Doug Smith, reinforce and leverage this vital connection. Louis Colaizzo, currently senior vice president, Sales & Agency, will lead ERIE's life insurance operations as senior vice president of Erie Family Life. In this position Colaizzo brings his knowledge of the agency force and sales capability – including his own time as an agent – to ERIE's Life business. He joined ERIE in 1994 as branch manager of ERIE'sPittsburgh Branch. Commercial and Personal Lines Underwriting will be combined under the leadership of Senior Vice President Marc Cipriani. Commercial and Personal Lines Underwriting will be combined under the leadership of Senior Vice President Marc Cipriani. Cipriani brings over 30 years of experience with ERIE to his new role. He currently serves as SVP, Commercial Lines, overseeing all activities related to commercial insurance strategy and operations. Mike Plazony, currently senior vice president of Erie Family Life, will oversee a new division focused on personal lines product development. An experienced P&L leader with over 30 years of multi-line insurance experience, Plazony joined ERIE in 2009 as vice president, Erie Family Life, and was promoted into his current position in 2010. Ann Zaprazny, senior vice president and regional officer, will oversee the new Commercial Lines Product Division. Zaprazny has 30 years of progressive experience in the property/casualty industry, which includes 22 years with Chubb Group where she held various positions in marketing, branch administration, IT and loss control. Prior to her work with ERIE, she served as senior vice president of commercial lines for Donegal Insurance.  Zaprazny joined Erie Insurance in 2010. Mike Fletcher, ERIE'sWest Virginia branch manager, will be promoted to senior vice president, Agency. The division will include field operations, agency administration, and sales and promotion. Fletcher brings 29 years of insurance experience to his new role, including positions in underwriting, marketing and field operations. The new appointments are effective January 19.

Corporate and Field Claims, currently separate divisions, will be combined. Commercial and Personal Lines Underwriting will be combined.