b'areunwavering,andwecontinueto Whilethechallengeshavebeeninvestinorganizationalenhancement considerable, Im pleased to share thatto allow us to serve our members for withastrongendingtotheyear,wedecades to come.wereabletodeliveramodestunderwritinggain.EnhancedSignificantaccomplishmentsfromthe investment returns have bolstered ourpast year include: financialperformance,whichprovidesus the resources to continue to investThedisruptionwithinourindustry in future growth initiatives. hascreatednotablegrowthopportunities.Ourmemberbase Additionally, AM Best reaffirmed our Agrewrapidlywiththeadditionof rating,andtheWardsGrouphas18,446newpoliciesinforce.Our recognized Goodville among the Top 50servicemodelwastested,butour mostwell-runP&Ccompaniesinthededicated team worked diligently to countryforthe15thconsecutiveyear!provide exceptional support to both In addition, Goodville was named as theour members and agents. BestPlacestoWorkinbothPennsylvaniaandOhio!TheseSignificantgrowthrequiredusto achievementswouldnotbepossiblereassessouroperational withoutourcommittedteamofmethodologies.Inresponse,we employees and the ongoing support of established a new Customer Service our agents and members!Grouptodeliverpromptandeffective responses to our member In late December, the board approvedand agent inquiries.the strategic plan for the coming year. ItencompassesvariouscriticalinitiativesOurdigitalstrategycontinuedto aimedatenhancingthememberevolvewithinvestmentsinnew experience.Detaileddescriptionsoftechnologiestoimproveaccessto theseinitiativescanbefoundinthereal-timeinformationforour followingsections.Ourcommittedmembers and agents. In the coming team remains focused on serving bothyear,weanticipatethelaunchof our members and agents, with a stronginitiallinesofbusinessonour commitment to our mutual success.newlydevelopedpolicyandbillingplatform.David C. GautschePresident & CEO'