Allstate (ALL)

“In today’s very competitive environment, success comes down to leadership and high performance. Our goal is to have the strongest possible leadership team with the optimal mix of talent, expertise and experience,” said Wilson.  “In Joe we are adding a recognized leader with an outstanding track record of success. We look forward to having him on our team as we reinvent to build a foundation for sustainable growth.”

From 2002 to 2009 Lacher served as the chief executive officer of Personal Insurance and executive vice president at Travelers.  In 2006 he also assumed responsibility for small commercial insurance as the executive vice president of Personal Insurance and Select Accounts.  These businesses represent approximately 45 percent of Travelers’ premiums.  During his tenure at Travelers, which began in 1991, Lacher held a variety of leadership positions, including senior vice president of Pricing, Product and Underwriting for Personal Lines, senior vice president of Strategic Distribution for Personal Lines and chief financial officer of Select Accounts.

“Having competed against Allstate for my entire career, I know just how phenomenal the Allstate brand, distribution network and organization really are,” said Lacher. “It is a first class organization with a first class leadership team and a commitment to be even better. I am excited about this opportunity.”

“Joe’s deep industry experience and track record of success will allow him to make an immediate contribution to driving progress,” Wilson concluded.

Lacher succeeds George Ruebenson who is retiring after nearly 40 years of service to Allstate.  Ruebenson remains at Allstate through December 31, 2009 and will work closely with Lacher to ensure a smooth and effective transition.

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“George’s service to our customers and company has helped people rebuild their lives after catastrophes, strengthen Allstate and secure a bright future for all of us,” said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas J. Wilson. “He is a superb business leader and has led our community efforts to keep teenagers safe while driving. His dedication to customers, employees and agency owners is a core part of our culture and is a strength we will build upon for future success.”

Ruebenson joined Allstate in 1970 and held a number of key leadership positions in the company’s home office and field operation. In 2000, he was named vice president for the Property-Casualty Claims Service Organization, the largest employee group in the company. Shortly after, Ruebenson became a member of Allstate’s senior management team as senior vice president. Ruebenson was appointed president of Allstate Protection in 2007.

Consistent with the company’s succession planning approach, a disciplined process is underway to select Allstate Protection’s next president.

Wilson continued, “We have a world class senior management team that will build on George’s successes and reinvent protection and retirement for the consumer.”

Allstate Protection combines the property and casualty offerings of Allstate, as well as EncompassSM and Deerbrook® Insurance, which are sold through Allstate and independent agencies, respectively.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services

“Matt’s outstanding track record of success, experience and leadership make him an excellent addition to our team,” said Wilson. “He has the intellectual capacity, creativity and enthusiasm to drive our vision of reinventing protection and retirement.”

For the past 15 years, Winter has held senior leadership positions at large-scale providers of life insurance and other financial products. He most recently served as vice chairman of American International Group, and was president and CEO for AIG American General Domestic Life Companies for approximately three years. Before joining AIG, Winter was executive vice president at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. Early in his career, Winter spent over 12 years on active duty with the U.S. Army, and also practiced law for several years before joining the insurance industry. Winter earned a B.S. from the University of Michigan, a J.D. from Albany Law School of Union University, and an LL.M. from the University of Virginia School of Law.

“I am very pleased to be joining such a high caliber, high energy management team, and I am excited about the tremendous opportunity ahead,” Winter said. “Middle-income Americans are overlooked and underserved when it comes to financial services. Allstate’s strong brand and network of Allstate agents across the country give Allstate Financial a unique opportunity to help these hard-working consumers protect their families and prepare for retirement.”