ACE USA Special Risk Facilities Names Gary Hightower Regional Executive of Southwest.

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 1999--

ACE USA Special Risk Facilities (SRF), which recently announced its new organizational structure since acquiring the CIGNA P&C business in July, has named Gary Hightower to its executive management team.

As senior vice president, Hightower will lead the Southwest Region, which includes the headquarters office in Dallas and a Houston branch.

"Gary has more than 24 years of underwriting and management experience in the large-risk business that will serve our organization well," said SRF President Bill Curcio. "He's a seasoned executive with expertise in all areas of the business and has a strong reputation and the respect of clients and brokers in the Dallas-Houston area. I am pleased to have him serve on our executive management team."

SRF's new executive team will lead the four major business units - Core Casualty, Casualty Specialty, Financial Products and Financial Solutions Group - operating through five regional territories: Northeast, Atlantic, Midwest, Southwest and Pacific. "By designating a senior vice president to lead each region, we've moved decision-making and accountability closer to our customers. These accomplished field executives will be of equal rank and assume responsibility for the profit and loss margins within their regions," Curcio said.

Prior to joining ACE USA, Hightower spent 10 years at AIG in the risk management and regional operations area. His most recent role with AIG was as vice president/regional manager of National Accounts in Dallas, managing profit centers such as Primary Casualty, Excess, D&O, Foreign, Account Management, Risk Finance and Energy. Prior to that position, Hightower served as vice president/regional manager, Risk Management from 1989-1995, serving large-risk customers in the Southwest Region. Hightower's tenure also includes 10 years with Continental Special Risk

"I am looking forward to building on the well-deserved reputation SRF has earned among its large-risk customers," Hightower shared. "Serving the Southwest Region from the Dallas office will provide an even greater opportunity to service customers and their individual business insurance needs."

Hightower is a graduate of Bishop College (B.A., Business Administration) and resides in Plano, TX with his family.

ACE USA, headquartered in Philadelphia, is the U.S. operations of the ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE: ACL). On July 2, 1999, ACE Limited completed the acquisition of the property and casualty insurance business of CIGNA Corporation. ACE USA provides insurance products and services through the U.S. operating subsidiaries. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world.