8-K 1 en0617.txt 8-K 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