SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF), America's largest provider of business information, today announced that, in preparation for the separation of its Financial Services and Information Solutions businesses into two separate publicly traded companies, Craig J. Barberio has been named director of investor relations for the company's Financial Services group and David Bigelow had been appointed to the position of vice president of investor relations for the Information Solutions group.

"Craig and David each have extensive experience working with the investor community," stated Buddy S. Piszel, chief financial officer and treasurer of The First American Corporation. "I look forward to working with each of them as we prepare for the upcoming spin-off."

As director of investor relations, Barberio will manage the Financial Services group's investor relations and investor communications activities. Prior to joining First American, Barberio served as first vice president in strategic planning and investor relations at IndyMac Bank from 2006 to 2008. From 2000 to 2005, he was vice president, institutional equity sales at Wedbush Morgan Securities, and from 1980 to 2000, he was employed by Atlantic Richfield Company, where he held various senior finance and planning positions. Barberio earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an M.B.A. from M.I.T.'s Sloan School of Management.

In the position of vice president of investor relations, Bigelow will manage the Information Solutions group's investor relations, marketing and corporate communications activities. Before joining First American, Bigelow most recently was a senior counselor with Financial Profiles, Inc., an independent investor relations and financial communications firm. From 1993 to 2008, he served in management roles with Countrywide Financial Corporation, including a decade leading the company's investor relations program. From 1988 to 1993, he was a manager for the Deloitte & Touche Valuation Consulting Group. Bigelow holds a bachelor's degree from Pomona College and an M.B.A. from Claremont Graduate University.

Mark E. Seaton, who has successfully led the company's investor relations efforts over the past three years, has been promoted to the position of vice president of finance for First American's Financial Services group. In his new role, Seaton will assume responsibility for overseeing budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and directing the development of strategic objectives and plans. Importantly, Seaton will also provide focused leadership to the company's many initiatives to improve margins in its title business.

Seaton joined First American as a treasury associate in 2006, and was appointed to the position of director of investor relations in 2007. Prior to joining First American, Seaton worked for three years at BancBoston Capital, a private equity firm in Boston and for two years at Robertson Stephens, an investment banking firm in San Francisco. Seaton holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

About The First American Corporation

The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF) is a FORTUNE 500(®) company that traces its history to 1889. With total revenues of approximately $6.2 billion in 2008, it is America's largest provider of business information. First American combines advanced analytics with its vast data resources to supply businesses and consumers with valuable information products to support the major economic events of people's lives, such as getting a job, renting an apartment, buying a car or house, securing a mortgage and opening or buying a business. The First American Family of Companies, many of which command leading market share positions in their respective industries, operate within five primary business segments, including: Title Insurance and Services, Specialty Insurance, Information and Outsourcing Solutions, Data and Analytic Solutions, and Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions. More information about the company and an archive of its press releases can be found at www.firstam.com.

    Media Contact:
    Carrie Gaska
    Corporate Communications
    The First American Corporation
    (714) 250-3298 - cgaska@firstam.com

    Financial Services Investor Contact:
    Craig Barberio
    Investor Relations
    The First American Corporation
    (714) 250-5214 - cbarberio@firstam.com

    Information Solutions Investor Contact:
    David Bigelow
    Investor Relations
    The First American Corporation
    (714) 250-3504 - dabigelow@firstam.com

SOURCE The First American Corporation