Ascension Insurance, Inc. Acquires Fred Lewis Agency

Kansas City, MO (October 7, 2011) . . . Ascension Insurance, Inc. announces the acquisition of Fred Lewis Agency, located in Kingsland, Texas. Ascension is a nationwide insurance brokerage and consulting firm specializing in risk management, property & casualty, and employee benefits solutions for businesses and individuals. The Fred Lewis Agency is a national insurance practice specializing in the insurance and risk management needs of the educational, recreational and sports communities. The firm will become part of Ascension's Summit America operations, expanding Ascension's market share in the recreational and sports markets. Ascension acquired Summit America in September 2010.

The acquisition is part of Ascension's strategy to expand its capabilities in these specialized markets and to provide premier insurance expertise and resources. Ascension is headquartered in Kansas City, MO, and has 35 offices throughout the U.S. Ascension's President and CEO Leonard P. Kline, Jr., commented, "We are very pleased to welcome the Fred Lewis Agency into the Ascension family of companies. Joining forces with Fred and Kathy Lewis will help us to expand our recreational and sports insurance programs nationwide, and to provide the highest levels of specialized expertise to Ascension's clients."

Tom Wilson, President of Summit America Insurance, added, "We have enjoyed collaborating with Fred and Kathy Lewis, and the Fred Lewis Agency for many years. They are highly regarded in our industry and we see many opportunities for growth with the additional expertise and resources available through the Fred Lewis Agency."

Fred Lewis commented, "We have been privileged to work with Tom Wilson and Caroline Florez at Summit America for eight years. We have had a wonderful and productive relationship with them and they have provided excellent sports insurance products and timely service to us for our valued customers."

About Ascension Insurance, Inc.:

Based in Kansas City, MO, Ascension Insurance, Inc. is led by President and CEO Leonard P. Kline, Jr. Ascension is ranked within the top 30 largest agencies by revenue size, with more than 440 employees and 35 locations nationwide. Ascension's corporate mission is to create a premier insurance agency that offers superior risk management and benefits consulting services while providing a rewarding professional environment that preserves the expertise and culture that made each operational center successful. Ascension is a privately held corporation. Together with its private equity partners, Parthenon Capital and Century Capital Management, Ascension Insurance, Inc. expects to grow to $200 million in revenue over the next four years. To learn more, visit http://www.ascensionins.com