UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
12/3/03
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
SAFECO CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in Charter)
WASHINGTON 1-6563 91-0742146
(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
Safeco Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(206) 545-5000
(Registrant's telephone number,
including area code)
Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure
The following news release was furnished today by Safeco Corporation.
Safeco Contact: Investor Relations
Neal Fuller, 206/545-5537
Safeco Contact: Media Relations
Paul Hollie, 206/545-3048
Tom Hutton Elected to Safeco Board of Directors
SEATTLE - (Dec. 3, 2003) - Safeco's (NASDAQ: SAFC) board of directors has
elected Tom Hutton as director effective Jan. 1, 2004.
Hutton, 48, is the former president and CEO of Risk Management Solutions (RMS),
a leading provider of licensed software, data and consulting services to
insurers, reinsurers and financial institutions for underwriting and managing
complex risks. In his 10 years at RMS, Hutton was recognized as an innovator and
spokesperson for the application of information technology to risk management.
"Tom brings a fresh perspective from outside the Northwest and a strong
technology background that will be a great complement to the expertise we
already have on the board," said Judy Runstad, who chairs the
Nominating/Governance Committee of Safeco's board of directors.
Based in the San Francisco Bay area, Hutton is managing partner at Thompson
Hutton, LLC, where he provides management and transaction services to private
equity investors focusing on the insurance and financial services sector.
Thompson Hutton, LLC also represents the West Coast investment interests of a
group of New York-based private equity firms. Hutton, who is originally from
Seattle and maintains ongoing business contacts in the area, graduated from
Harvard Business School and Stanford University. He currently serves as chairman
of Claim IQ, Finaplex, and Boats/Yachtworld.com. He also is an active board
member and Audit Committee chairman of Montpelier Re, a reinsurance company.
"Tom's insurance industry and technical experience will be especially valuable
as we continue to build a differentiating sales and service platform for our
auto, home and small-commercial insurance products," said Mike McGavick, Safeco
chairman and CEO. "We're delighted to welcome him to the board."
Safeco, in business since 1923, is a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle that
sells insurance and investment products through independent agents, brokers and
financial advisors nationwide. More information about Safeco can be found at
www.safeco.com.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
SAFECO CORPORATION
-------------------------------
Registrant
Dated: December 3, 2003
/s/Maurice Hebert
-------------------------------
Maurice Hebert
Vice President and Controller