05/04/09 PRESS RELEASE: W. R. Berkley Corporation Appoints Richard M. Baio Vice President – Treasurer

GREENWICH, Conn.---- W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) today announced the appointment of Richard M. Baio to the newly created office of vice president – treasurer. He will be responsible for managing the investment accounting and tax departments, global currency, banking relationships, and all related treasury functions. He assumes the position of treasurer from Eugene G. Ballard, who remains senior vice president – chief financial officer. Mr. Baioâ's appointment is effective immediately.

Mr. Baio, 40, has over 19 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry, having served most recently as a director in Merrill Lynch & Co.’s financial institutions investment banking group, where he specialized in insurance company advisory, financing, merger and acquisition transactions. Previously, Mr. Baio spent a significant part of his career in public accounting advising the insurance industry as a partner in Ernst & Young’s insurance practice. Mr. Baio earned a B.S. in accounting from Clarkson University and an M.S. in taxation from University of Hartford.

More Info:

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.

Contact Info:

W. R. Berkley Corporation
Karen A. Horvath, 203-629-3000
Vice President - External Financial Communications

Source: W. R. Berkley Corporation

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