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Florida Family Insurance Services, L.L.C. Named One Of The Nation's Fastest Growing Companies By Inc Magazine

Naples, FL, November 8, 2001… Florida Family Insurance Services, L.L.C. (FFIS) has been named one of America's entrepreneurial growth leaders by Inc magazine, which last week released its annual ranking of the Inc 500, the nation's fastest-growing private companies.

Started in 1982, the Inc 500 ranks the nation's leading entrepreneurial firms according to sales growth over the previous five years. Inc verifies all information using tax forms and financial statements from certified public accountants. Former Inc 500 companies that have gone on to become household names include Microsoft, Timberland, Domino's Pizza and Patagonia.

FFIS, based in Naples, Florida, ranked #124 on the 2001 list, achieving 1,987 percent growth in the past five years. CEO, Rick Hardy, is no stranger to the ranks of the Inc 500. Under his leadership, Associated Physicians Management Company (Oakbrook, IL) ranked #248 in the 1991 Inc 500.

"It's very exciting to once again be included in Inc magazine's prestigious ranking," said Rick Hardy, CEO. "We're proud of the results the Florida Family companies have achieved through focus and teamwork. During this year, our new condominium program is meeting expectations, internal operations have become more efficient, enabling us to reduce the number of back office staff, and Florida Family's demutualization process was concluded successfully.

Florida Family Insurance Services, L.L.C. is managing general agent for Florida Family Insurance Company (Naples, Florida), a personal lines insurer serving some 85,000 policyholders. The company's insurance products are marketed through a network of more than 400 Florida independent insurance agents. Florida Family Insurance Company is rated "B+" (Very Good/Secure) by A.M. Best Company, and is rated "A" by Demotech, Inc, a rating agency authorized by federal agencies to provide financial stability ratings of insurance companies.