State Auto Financial appoints new general counsel

2018-05-28

Columbus, Ohio (November 13, 2015) - State Auto Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:STFC) today announced the appointment of Melissa A. Centers as senior vice president, secretary and general counsel. She succeeds Jay Yano, who passed away in September.

Melissa earned her juris doctor from Capital University Law School after holding a series of executive leadership and consulting roles in public relations/corporate communications/government affairs, information technology, vendor management, and project management for an array of companies including Nationwide Insurance, Worthington Industries, JP Morgan Chase (formerly Bank One) and Verizon Wireless. Her in-house legal practice focuses on information technology, employment, corporate governance and other transactional matters.

"Melissa has helped to guide us through some very challenging legal issues over the last few years," said STFC President and CEO Mike LaRocco. "She's built strong relationships with our legal partners and regulators and is a trusted advisor to many throughout State Auto. I appreciate Melissa's counsel, her candor and her desire to do the right thing for all our stakeholders. Those qualities, in addition to the skills and performance she's demonstrated, make her the right person for this role."

In addition to her law degree, Centers holds an undergraduate degree from Wright State University. She is a member of the State Bar of Ohio.

State Auto Financial Corporation, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, is a super regional property and casualty insurance holding company and is proud to be a Trusted Choice® company partner and one of Forbes' 50 Most Trustworthy Financial Companies in America. STFC stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, which is a segment of the NASDAQ Global Market with the highest initial listing standards of any exchange in the world.

The insurance subsidiaries of State Auto Financial Corporation are part of the State Auto Group. The State Auto Group markets its insurance products throughout the United States, through independent insurance agencies, which include retail agencies and wholesale brokers. The State Auto Group is rated A- (Excellent) by the A.M. Best Company and includes State Automobile Mutual, State Auto Property & Casualty, State Auto Ohio, State Auto Wisconsin, Milbank, Meridian Security, Patrons Mutual, Rockhill Insurance, Plaza Insurance, American Compensation and Bloomington Compensation. Additional information on State Auto Financial Corporation and the State Auto Insurance Companies can be found online at http://www.StateAuto.com/STFC.
 

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