John Leonard, the MEMIC Group's president and CEO, has beendesignated the 2008 chairman of ACORD's board of directors. Leonardpreviously served as ACORD's chairman in 2001.

Leonard began with MEMIC in 1993 after a 27-year career withTravelers, where he led the commercial lines agency marketing andunderwriting division. He is a former president of the AmericanAssociation of State Compensation Insurance Funds (AASCIF) andchairman of its executive committee. Leonard also serves on theboard of directors for the National Council on CompensationInsurance (NCCI) and is a member of the National Workers'Compensation Reinsurance Pool board.

Currently, Leonard sits on the boards of directors of MEMIC, aregional insurer specializing in workers' compensation throughoutthe Northeast.

In addition, ACORD announced three new members have been namedto the ACORD board of directors for 2008: Lawrence E. Blakeman,MetLife; Robert Slocum, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokersof America; and Andreas Beerli, Swiss Re.

The following is a complete listing of the 2008 Board ofDirectors:

Leonard; Clement B. Booth, Allianz; Gregory A. Maciag, ACORD;Beerli; Blakeman; Slocum; Sal Branca, AIG; Lawrence Brandon,AICPCU; John Chu, The Hartford Financial Services Group; JuneDrewry, Chubb Group; David Findley, outside director;

Andy Fogarty, outside director; Rainer Janssen, Munich Re;Barbara Koster, Prudential; Sue Langley, Lloyd's of London; DennisMahoney, Aon Global; Stephen Matanle, Marsh; William Pieroni, StateFarm Insurance; Keith Savino, PIA; Jeanette Scampas, Willis Group;George Van Dusen, NAILBA; and John Van Osdall, CIAB.