For Immediate Release

November 2, 2007

LANSING — Tom Tuggle, formerly Michigan Retailers Association director of sales, has been promoted to vice president of sales & agent relations for Retailers Mutual Insurance Company, the workers’ compensation insurance company established by the Association.

In his new position, Tuggle will focus exclusively on building and strengthening Retailers Mutual’s network of independent agents.

Tuggle's primary focus in recent years was building Michigan Retailers Association’s relations with community banks as a means of enrolling new members and better serving current members. When Retailers Mutual was formed, Tuggle added the responsibility for building and maintaining the network of independent agents who sell Retailers Mutual policies and service the accounts.

Tuggle’s promotion recognizes the growth of Retailers Mutual during the past two years and the importance of its independent agent network, according to James P. Hallan, president and chief operating officer.

“Tom excels at building relationships based on trust. He’s been doing that for many years with community banks and can now focus solely on Retailers Mutual,” said James P. Hallan, president and chief operating officer of Retailers Mutual.

“Our independent agents are key to future growth and our mission of providing the best personal customer service to all policyholders.”

Tuggle, a Williamston resident, joined MRA in 1993 as a regional marketing representative, became bank development manager in 1998, then director of sales in 2000, overseeing all regional marketing representatives and growing the community bank program.

Retailers Mutual Insurance Company provides cost-saving workers’ compensation insurance to a wide array of businesses, non-retail and retail. Headquartered in Lansing, the company was established by the Michigan Retailers Association in January 2006.