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RENO, Nev.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--EMPLOYERS (NYSE: EIG), America's small business insurance specialist, today announced that Stephen V. Festa, senior vice president and chief claims officer, has been named vice chair to the Board of Governors of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA), a body that pays the claims of insolvent property and casualty insurance carriers.

"We are honored to have Stephen serve as vice chair of the CIGA board, and look forward to benefiting from his industry expertise and continuing this excellent relationship."

Prior to being named vice chair, Festa most recently served as the CIGA boardas secretary and treasurer. Festa first joined the CIGA board in 2009, representing EMPLOYERS as an Insurer Member, and remains the only C-level claims executive to serve on the board. Operating under the California Insurance Code, CIGA provides a mechanism for the payment of covered property, casualty, and workers' compensation insurance claims of insolvent insurance companies (as defined by the Insurance Code and specific case law).

"Stephen has played an integral role in this organization, and it is clear that his dedication and focus on CIGA is helping to improve organizational processes,a said Wayne Wilson, executive director of CIGA. aWe are honored to have Stephen serve as vice chair of the CIGA board, and look forward to benefiting from his industry expertise and continuing this excellent relationship.a

Festa has served as senior vice president and chief claims officer of Employers Insurance Company of Nevada and Employers Compensation Insurance Company since 2004. Festa has over 25 years of industry experience.

Festa attended the University of Southern California and has also completed the Advanced Executive Education Program sponsored by the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (AICPCU) and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

About Employers Holdings, Inc.

Employers Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EIG) is a holding company with subsidiaries that are specialty providers of workers' compensation insurance and services focused on select small businesses engaged in low-to-medium hazard industries. The company, through its subsidiaries, operates throughout the United States. Insurance is offered by Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, Employers Compensation Insurance Company, Employers Preferred Insurance Company, and Employers Assurance Company, all rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Additional information can be found at: [ www.employers.com ].

Copyright 2011 EMPLOYERS. All rights reserved. EMPLOYERS and America's small business insurance specialist. are registered trademarks of Employers Insurance Company of Nevada.