GEICO Recognizes Alford as Top Sales Counselor in Lakeland Region

LAKELAND, Fla., Jan. 31, 2006 -- As the third-largest personal auto insurer in the state, GEICO is continuing to grow with the help of associates like Alan Alford of Valrico.

Alford joined GEICO in 1999 after owning his own contracting business. Since then he has become quite knowledgeable about the questions and concerns drivers raise.

"You cannot control the calls you get, but you can control how you handle the calls you do get," said Alford. "Salespeople do make a difference and I'm reminded by that at the end of every month how much of a difference we do make."

He is now GEICO's top sales counselor in Florida, and the outstanding sales, and those of his colleagues, have put GEICO's Lakeland office on the fast track to one million policies in Florida. Five of the six years he has been with the company, Alford has been placed in GEICO's Chairman's Club for the company's top sellers.

"Associates like Alan are the reason why GEICO is so successful," said George Rogers, vice president of GEICO's Lakeland regional office. "They are always giving 110 percent."

Alford is currently pursuing his bachelor's degree at the University of South Florida.

GEICO built a branch office in Lakeland in 1998, becoming so successful that the office was transformed into GEICO's Region 6 operation in 2002. It is now headquarters for almost 1,800 associates. Since the Lakeland office opened, GEICO has become one of the fastest-growing auto insurance companies.

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/.