Aflac Honors All-American Worker Contest Winner With Trip to Labor Day NASCAR Race in Atlanta

Illinois Resident to Receive VIP Race Experience, Meet Driver Carl Edwards

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Sep 01, 2010, 01:52 ET

COLUMBUS, Ga., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the No. 1 provider of voluntary and guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States, today announced that Mike Ferguson of Rockford, Ill., is the winner of its nationwide Finding the All-American Worker contest. Ferguson, a machinist in the heavy equipment industry, will receive a trip for two to Atlanta for an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at the Emory Healthcare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sept. 5, including a meeting with NASCAR driver Carl Edwards.

Ferguson was nominated by his 19-year-old stepdaughter, Kristiani Groeling, through the Aflac Racing page on Facebook. Groeling asked for Ferguson to be selected as the All-American Worker for going above and beyond the call of duty both on and off the job. Aflac received nominations from across the country and public voting on the contest page determined the top five submissions. An Aflac judging panel then selected a winner.

"At Aflac, we've had the American workforce under our wing for 55 years," said Danny Fleishman, vice president of Sponsorships and Emerging Markets at Aflac. "This promotion allows us to honor hard-working Americans everywhere by spotlighting an exemplary individual like Mike Ferguson. We hope he enjoys his Labor Day weekend and one-of-a-kind experience at the track."

Groeling explained that her stepfather has worked tirelessly in the heavy equipment industry for 16 years, exhibiting relentless kindness, unparalleled loyalty and absolute dedication in everything he does. And she says he's so passionate about his job that he even uses his personal time to search for ways to improve his work with new parts and designs. But Groeling added that Ferguson doesn't stop there, explaining that you can find her stepfather any day of the week helping neighbors and friends in need with household repairs, graciously giving of his time and talents.

"Celebrating the spirit of the American worker is what Labor Day is all about," said Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Aflac Ford Fusion. "Mike is a great example of all the hard-working NASCAR fans, and we're proud to have him as part of our team in Atlanta."

In the short essay she wrote to nominate her stepfather, Groeling said Ferguson "showed me the true meaning of elbow grease, leading by example and teaching us to do things the right way the first time — no shortcuts permitted in work and in life. Mike is not just a stepfather, he is a role model in everything."

Ferguson will be taking his stepdaughter to the track with him in Atlanta. They're both avid NASCAR fans and have traveled to a number of races over the years.

"For me, the greatest part of this experience will be getting to share it with Kristiani," said Ferguson. "Carl Edwards is her driver. This is a lifelong dream for her to meet Carl."

To learn more about Aflac, Carl Edwards and the Aflac Racing Team, visit AflacRacing.com.

About Aflac

When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For 55 years, Aflac insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance. In Japan, Aflac is the number one insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force. Aflac insurance products provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For four consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies, and Forbes magazine named Aflac as America's Best-Managed Company in the Insurance category. In 2010, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the twelfth consecutive year and also included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the ninth time. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com.

About Roush Fenway Racing

Roush Fenway Racing is NASCAR's largest team, operating eight motorsports teams. Four in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with drivers Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and David Ragan; and four in the Nationwide Series with Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Colin Braun, Brian Ickler and Paul Menard. For more information on any of the Roush Fenway Racing teams, log on to www.RoushFenway.com. Become a fan of Roush Fenway Racing on Facebook by going to http://www.facebook.com/roushfenway and follow us on Twitter @roushfenway. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Robin Johnson at 704.720.4645.