George L. Argyros Appointed as a Member of the Board of Directors of The First American Corporation

October 6, 2005

SANTA ANA, Calif., /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF) has re-appointed George L. Argyrosbeen as a member of the board of directors of the corporation. Argyros, who had previously served 13 years on the board of directors for The First American Corporation, stepped down from his position in 2001 after being appointed to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Spain and Andorra by President George W. Bush.

Following three years as the U.S. ambassador to Spain, Argyros resumed his position as chairman and chief executive officer of Arnel & Affiliates, a diversified investment company located in Costa Mesa, Calif., as well as his role as a general partner in Westar Capital, a private investment company. Prior to his appointment in Spain, he was a member of several government committees and industry boards, including the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations for the U.S. Trade Representative and the presidential-appointed board for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FreddieMac). Argyros also served on the boards of: Rockwell International Corporation, The Newhall Land and Farming Company, DST Systems, Inc. and Doskocil Manufacturing Company.

Argyros is a recognized business leader and philanthropist, who has a history of generous financial support and visionary leadership. In 1993, he was the recipient of the coveted Horatio Alger Award of Distinguished Americans, and in 2001 he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. In addition, he has served on the board of trustees for several community organizations, including his current positions as vice chairman of the business and finance committee for the California Institute of Technology, chairman of the board for The Beckman Foundation, chairman emeritus and treasurer for the Horatio Alger Association and as a member of the Chapman University board of trustees, where he served as chairman of the board of trustees for 26 years prior to his appointment as ambassador. In addition to his philanthropic endeavors, he also was the owner of the Seattle Mariners Baseball Club for nine seasons and co-owner of AirCal.

Argyros holds a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Chapman University in Orange, Calif., as well as an honorary doctorate in law from Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., and an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Chapman University. He and his wife, Julia, have three grown children and six grandchildren.

Source: The First American Corporation


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