Jean Laurin Honoured As CEO of the Year by the Ottawa Business Journal

ENCON Group Inc. 500-1400 Blair Place Ottawa, Ontario K1J 9B8 Telephone 613-786-2000 Facsimile 613-786-2001 Toll Free 800-267-6684 www.encon.ca

Jean Laurin Honoured as CEO of the Year by the Ottawa Business Journal

OTTAWA, ON -- November 14, 2011 -- ENCON Group Inc. announced today that Jean Laurin, President of ENCON Group Inc., has been named CEO of the Year by the Ottawa Business Journal (OBJ).

“We think Jean Laurin hits the mark as CEO of the Year in several ways, including financial performance, leadership and vision, and community involvement,” explained Michael Curran, Publisher of the OBJ. “More specifically, Mr. Laurin has, over his tenure, doubled insurance premium volumes, introduced new products in a tough market, engaged his employees in a meaningful way and led by example by volunteering for the National Capital Region YMCA-YWCA and the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre. He is very deserving of the CEO of the Year Award.”

During his 10 years as President of ENCON, the company’s premium volumes have nearly doubled, growing from $185 million in 2002 to $320 million in 2010. A key factor in this growth has been Laurin’s strategy to continuously introduce new and enhanced products, to focus on customer service, and to improve processes, operational efficiencies and resources for clients. In fact, the new and enhanced products that have been introduced since 2001 have produced more than 46,000 policies and $250 million in premium.

“ENCON’s solid financial performance is attributable to Jean’s leadership in fostering a culture centered on the client,” said Kate Harley, Chief Operating Officer at ENCON. “We have a very strong customer- focused culture at ENCON that arises out of our commitment to innovation, professionalism, collaboration, collegiality and just plain having fun. This starts with Jean and shines throughout the company because of the way he engages and inspires our employees.”

In his more than 25 years with ENCON, Laurin has garnered considerable management and insurance industry expertise. He has held a variety of positions within the company’s professional liability and construction insurance division over the years, including Executive Vice-President, and in 2001, he became President of ENCON. Prior to joining ENCON, Laurin was a Senior Chartered Accountant with KPMG and was responsible for public company audits. A long-time resident of Ottawa, Laurin graduated from the University of Ottawa with a B.Adm. and a B.Comm. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa and is a guest lecturer at the Telfer School’s MBA program.

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About ENCON ENCON Group Inc. has been a trusted name in professional liability and construction insurance, as well as group and retiree benefits for many years. As one of Canada’s leading insurance management companies, the company has developed and administered insurance products, services and programs that have assisted Canadian organizations and professionals across hundreds of sectors to achieve their risk management goals. ENCON’s programs are distributed through a nationwide network of independent plan advisors and brokers to individuals, professionals, organizations and employers. The Ottawa-based company also has offices in Edmonton and Toronto, with more than 240 employees across the country. Learn more at www.encon.ca. About ENCON (continued) Jean Laurin is the President and CEO of The Schinnerer Group, which includes the two insurance management companies: ENCON Group Inc. and Victor O. Schinnerer & Company, Inc. He has served in the role of President and CEO of The Schinnerer Group since 2007 and as President of ENCON Group Inc. since 2001. He is responsible for developing the vision and strategic direction for both ENCON and Schinnerer and he splits his time between ENCON’s head office in Ottawa and Schinnerer’s head office in Washington, DC.

About CEO of the Year The CEO of the Year Award, founded by the Ottawa Business Journal in 2000, assesses the achievements of candidates in the areas of corporate performance, leadership and vision, competitiveness and innovation, community involvement, and timeliness. Jean Laurin was selected by a committee co-chaired by OBJ publisher, Michael Curran and Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Erin Kelly.

Jean Laurin will be presented with the CEO of the Year Award at the Ottawa Business Achievement Awards Gala Dinner on December 1, 2011 at the Ottawa Convention Centre.

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