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GREENWICH, Conn.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) today announced that James B. Ketterson has been named president of Riverport Insurance Company, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The appointment is effective immediately. Mr. Ketterson succeeds Douglass E. Pfeifer, who will remain involved in other activities within the W. R. Berkley Corporation group of companies.

"We are pleased to welcome an accomplished leader like Jim to manage the expanding business of this operating unit. Riverport remains positioned to excel at serving the needs of its clients. We look forward to Dougas continued contribution to our enterprise."

Mr. Ketterson, who has over 20 years of experience in the property casualty insurance industry, most recently served as manager of a significant branch at another leading property and casualty insurer. He earned a B.A. in Economics from Carleton College, an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Cincinnati, and holds the professional designations of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, Associate in Marine Insurance Management and Certified Insurance Counselor.

William R. Berkley, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of W. R. Berkley Corporation, said: aWe are pleased to welcome an accomplished leader like Jim to manage the expanding business of this operating unit. Riverport remains positioned to excel at serving the needs of its clients. We look forward to Dougas continued contribution to our enterprise.a

Riverport Insurance Company provides property casualty insurance coverages to human services organizations, including nonprofit and for-profit organizations, public entities, and self-insured companies, associations and purchasing groups. Its product offerings include traditional primary coverages, as well as alternative market solutions for clients who wish to retain a larger share of their own risk.

For further information about the products and services available from Riverport Insurance Company, please visit [ www.riverportinsurance.com ].

Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates in five segments of the property casualty insurance business: specialty insurance, regional property casualty insurance, alternative markets, reinsurance, and international.