DAYTONA BEACH, FL and TAMPA, FL, May 01, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO) announces that Michael J. Riordan was elected yesterday by the Board of Directors as Regional Executive Vice President responsible for the Company's Hull & Company brokerage operations.

J. Hyatt Brown, Chairman and CEO, commented, 'This action reflects our continuing focus on strengthening our leadership team, which is a key element in growing our Company and achieving our goals. Mike's addition to our senior leadership gives us another distinctive regional leader who will increase our growth potential and core operating strength. His extensive experience with Hull's brokerage operations is a valuable asset of our Wholesale Brokerage Division.'

Mr. Riordan has worked with Hull & Company, Inc., now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brown & Brown, Inc., since 1978. He joined Brown & Brown in March 2005 when Hull & Company became a subsidiary of the Company, and served as Executive Vice President of Hull until his promotion to President and CEO in 2007. Mr. Riordan is past President of the Florida Surplus Lines Association (1997-1999) and past Chairman of the Florida Surplus Lines Services Office (2003-2004). He is a graduate of Florida State University.