Dear Valued Producer:

It is with mixed emotions that we announce that Dave Yanagimachi will be retiring at year end after 13 years of dedicated and loyal service managing the Seattle branch of Old Republic Aerospace. Dave started his aviation career in 1978 as an underwriter with Cravens, Dargen & Company (a subsidiary of Connecticut General Insurance) and continued his tenure as an aviation underwriter with Cigna Aerospace when Connecticut General merged with the Insurance Company of North America. Dave’s background also includes underwriting positions with ACE Aerospace and United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG) before joining Old Republic Aerospace to establish our West coast regional office in 2004. Dave is a native of Washington and has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington. Please join us in thanking Dave for his seasoned leadership and wishing him and his wife Carlene a happy, healthy and well-deserved retirement.

Also, we are pleased to announce that, effective immediately, John Pristas will be assuming management responsibilities for the Seattle branch to facilitate a smooth transition. John joined the Chicago office of Old Republic Aerospace in 2011 as a senior underwriter and subsequently transferred to the Seattle branch in 2015 to assume the position of assistant branch manager. Prior to joining Old Republic Aerospace, John was an account executive at NationAir Insurance and also held various positions at Travelers Aviation, Aviation Markets, Inc., Olympic Steel, Inc. and COMAV Aviation Insurance. John is a graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management. He is a commercial pilot with CFI, multi-engine and instrument ratings. Please join us in congratulating John and wishing him success in his new role.

Sincerely,

Ralph H. Sohl
President & Chief Executive Officer

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