Donald W. Van Dyke II, Chairman and CEO of D. W. Van Dyke & Co., Inc. has announced his retirement from operations, to be effective at December 31, 2008. He will remain Chairman and on the Boards of DDR Holdings, Inc., a holding company, and each of its subsidiaries, which include D. W. Van Dyke & Co., Inc., InsuranceBlocks.Com and Life Settlement Strategies, L.L.C. He will also continue as Manager of several affiliated limited liability companies, Quality Health Management, L.L.C., Preferred Providers International, L.L.C. and Strategic Underwriting Solutions, L.L.C.

Mr. Van Dyke has stated that after 47 years in the insurance, reinsurance and health care industries, it is time to turn over the operational reins of D. W. Van Dyke & Co., Inc., a highly recognized reinsurance intermediary firm which Mr. Van Dyke started 30 years ago, to his Executive team, headed up by Mr. Donald K. Drelich, President and CEO. Mr. Drelich has been with the firm for the past 26 years and helped shape its course with his knowledge, experience and leadership. D. W. Van Dyke & Co., Inc. will continue its very positive role in the reinsurance industry with its depth of knowledge, integrity and creative capabilities.