Error narrows competition for Economic Impact Awards

An error on a finalist's application has changed the lineup for Springfield Business Journal's 2004 Economic Impact Awards.

Due to an error on the application of American National Property & Casualty, a finalist in the Commercial Lines Insurance category, ANPAC has been disqualified from this year's competition.

The error came to light in an article written about ANPAC for inclusion in the Economic Impact Awards publication produced by Springfield Business Journal.

"I was reading the article, and it kept referring to personal lines insurance when the category was commercial lines," said SBJ Editor Clarissa French. "I realized we had a serious problem."

ANPAC President, Chairman and CEO Greg Ostergren was contacted about the situation, and upon explanation, agreed that a mistake had been made. He concurred that ANPAC should be removed from the competition.

Ostergren said that while ANPAC is expanding its commercial lines business, it is personal lines, such as homeowner's and automotive insurance, that make up the bulk of its business.

Due to a misreading of the application instructions, revenue and employment figures that the company provided, which should have been related to its commercial lines business only, included personal lines as well.

The finalists in the Commercial Lines Insurance category are now Commercial Insurance Underwriters and Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance.

The 2004 Economic Impact Awards will be presented July 22 at The Tower Club.