GEICO Recruiting Associates for New Service Center in Buffalo-Amherst

Grand Opening Set for October 12; Gov. George Pataki to Lead Ceremonies

BUFFALO, N.Y., Sept. 15 -- GEICO, the fourth-largest private passenger auto insurer in the country, is recruiting associates to fill jobs for its new 250,000-square-foot service center at 300 CrossPoint Parkway in Amherst, N.Y. The company expects to employ some 2,500 associates at the center.

John Zinno, general manager of GEICO's Buffalo operations, says that GEICO is now hiring people to build a permanent claims staff of professional claims examiners and adjusters, along with supervisory claims personnel. Positions will be available for entry level claims associates, college graduates, and experienced claims professionals.

To submit an application, readers should go to http://www.geico.com/ and click open the Careers tab. Then open the link to GEICO locations (right hand column) and select Buffalo, N.Y. for job listings and to fill out an online employment application.

"We believe we have good news for the residents of Western New York," said GEICO Chairman, President and CEO Tony Nicely. "Our business is expanding at a record rate and our new operation here will become a vital part of the company. That means we have good jobs for people who want to build a great career with us."

Nicely pointed out some of the pluses that brought GEICO to the area. "Buffalo and Amherst welcomed us very warmly. We want to build on the excellent relationship we've established and offer residents as much as we can in terms of jobs, community service and economic development.

"We also are extremely impressed with the new associates that we have already hired. They are competent, they have the capacity to want to serve our customers and they demonstrate the hard work ethic that we are known for. You couldn't ask for a better place to locate a business operation."

Amherst Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Colleen DiPirro offered GEICO a hearty welcome saying, "We are pleased to welcome GEICO to Western New York and Amherst specifically. They jobs GEICO is creating, well paid career positions, will continue the trend to make Amherst and Western New York a destination as a great place to work, live and play."

Tom Kucharski, president of Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, noted, "We're excited to see GEICO officially opening its doors and bringing a major boost to our region's current and future economic growth. GEICO's decision to locate its new service center in Buffalo Niagara highlights one of our greatest resources, namely the quality, quantity and readiness of the region's workforce."

GEICO employs more than 21,000 associates in its other 11 major U.S. locations across the country: Washington, D.C.; Fredericksburg, Va.; Woodbury, N.Y.; Macon, Ga.; San Diego, Calif.; Dallas, Texas; Lakeland, Fla.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Coralville, Iowa; and Tucson, Az.

The company raised its public profile in recent years with an aggressive marketing and advertising campaign that keyed on the company's ability to provide a lower insurance rate due to its direct sales to the public. More recently, GEICO introduced the "Gecko" to its advertising campaigns to serve as the company's spokescreature, a move that proved to be particularly popular with the public.

GEICO enjoys the highest ratings in the industry for its financial strength and claims-paying ability, including an "AAA" rating from Standard and Poor's, "Aaa" from Moody's and "A++" from A. M. Best. The company is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, headed by Warren Buffett, one of the country's most successful investors.

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the fourth largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States. It provides auto insurance coverage for more than 6 million policyholders and insures more than 10 million vehicles. GEICO is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies. GEICO provides consumers with sales, service and claims capabilities on its geico.com Web site. Consumers may also contact the company at its toll free 1-800-841-3000 number. For more information, go to http://www.geico.com/.