Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Announces Executive Appointment

ITASCA, Ill., June 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. announced today that Walter D. Bay has joined the company as its Corporate Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.

Mr. Bay has over 20 years of business management and legal experience. He began his career at Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., and over the years, held key positions with Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP, and GE Commercial Finance. Most recently he was General Counsel and Secretary for GE Commercial Distribution Finance. He was also a member of their senior management team, providing strategic business and legal advice for their domestic and international operations. Walt received his BS degree from The College of Wooster and his JD from George Washington University.

As part of the company's long term succession planning, Mr. Bay succeeds John C. Rosengren who, after 12 years as Vice President and General Counsel, will assist with the transition and continue with the company as a Corporate Vice President.

"We are pleased to have an individual of Walt's caliber on our executive management team," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "His strong legal background and many years of acquisition and compliance experience will be a valuable addition to our company, and we look forward to his counsel as we continue to strategically position the company for future growth."

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., an international insurance brokerage and risk management services firm, is headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, has operations in seven countries and does business in more than 100 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants. Gallagher is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AJG.