State Auto Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:STFC) announced today:

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel James A. (Jay) Yano. Yano died unexpectedly on Monday in Columbus, Ohio.

“Beyond being an exceedingly competent attorney, Jay was a friend to many in our company and in the community,” said State Auto President and CEO Mike LaRocco. “After joining State Auto in April, I came to quickly appreciate Jay’s wisdom, advice and relentless desire to protect the interests of our company, its policyholders and shareholders. His legacy includes a staff that shares his commitment to fairness, professionalism and sound judgment. It is a legacy of which he and his family can be very proud. We offer our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to his family.”

"Jay was a wise counselor, a strong leader, and a good friend and neighbor,” said State Auto Chairman Bob Restrepo. "His broad perspective, superior intelligence and business savvy helped lead the company through difficult times and position State Auto for stability and success. I offer my support and deepest sympathy to his wife, Anne, and family."

Yano joined State Auto in 2007 after serving in the same role with Abercrombie & Fitch Co. He’d previously spent 28 years with the Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease law firm in Columbus leading their insurance, corporate and regulatory practice. He was a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and received a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia. Yano served on the boards of the Columbus School for Girls, The Griffith Foundation for Insurance Education, Athletic Club of Columbus, Columbus Country Club, Columbus Bar Association Insurance Agency and Broad Street Presbyterian Church.

About State Auto Financial Corporation

State Auto Financial Corporation, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, is a super regional property and casualty insurance holding company and is proud to be a Trusted Choice® company partner and one of Forbes’ 50 Most Trustworthy Financial Companies in America. STFC stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, which is a segment of the NASDAQ Global Market with the highest initial listing standards of any exchange in the world.

The insurance subsidiaries of State Auto Financial Corporation are part of the State Auto Group. The State Auto Group markets its insurance products throughout the United States, through independent insurance agencies, which include retail agencies and wholesale brokers. The State Auto Group is rated A- (Excellent) by the A.M. Best Company and includes State Automobile Mutual, State Auto Property & Casualty, State Auto Ohio, State Auto Wisconsin, Milbank, Meridian Security, Patrons Mutual, Rockhill Insurance, Plaza Insurance, American Compensation and Bloomington Compensation. Additional information on State Auto Financial Corporation and the State Auto Insurance Companies can be found online at http://www.StateAuto.com/STFC.