NEW YORK, NY June 29, 2001—Fortis, Inc., part of the international Fortis group [BSE: FOR and AMS: FOR], today announced that Lance Wilson has joined the company as Senior Vice President, Fortis, Inc. and Chief Information Officer of Fortis Information Technology. Wilson oversees Fortis, Inc.'s Information Technology group and Fortis, Inc.'s operations in Woodbury, MN, which include the company's financial shared services, human resources management systems and various corporate I/T functions. Prior to joining Fortis, Inc., Wilson was Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Sunbeam Corporation. He has also held management positions at Honeywell, The Pillsbury Company and Land O'Lakes.

Wilson has a B.A. in Sociology from California State University, and a Master's and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Minnesota.

Wilson said, "I am delighted to become a part of the Fortis, Inc. team. The rapid evolution of technology is creating new challenges and opportunities across our organization, and I look forward to working closely with each of our specialty businesses to design optimal solutions for their specific I/T needs. By drawing on the talent and expertise that already exist within our Woodbury operations, I am confident that we can play a valuable role in supporting Fortis, Inc.'s continued growth and market leadership. I am also excited about carrying on Fortis, Inc.'s strong commitment to remain an active and involved corporate citizen in Woodbury and the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul region."

Fortis, Inc. also announced today that Richard W. Gozola has been appointed Senior Vice President of the Fortis, Inc. Data Center in Woodbury, MN, further advancing his 30 plus year career with Fortis. In his new position, Gozola will report to Lance Wilson and oversee the operational functions of the Fortis, Inc. Data Center. Gozola joined Western Life in 1969, which was acquired by Fortis in 1984, and has held various management positions in the company. Most recently, Gozola was Vice President of the Fortis, Inc, Data Center.

Fortis, Inc. is a financial services company that, through its operating companies and affiliates, has built leadership positions in a number of specialty insurance market segments in the U.S. The companies of Fortis, Inc. are leading providers of individual, temporary and small group health insurance; group disability, life and dental insurance; preneed funeral insurance; credit related insurance products and services; and membership and extended service programs.

Fortis, Inc. is part of Fortis, an international financial services provider active in the fields of insurance, banking and investment. Fortis employs approximately 70,000 people worldwide and offers a broad range of financial services. In its home market, the Benelux countries, Fortis occupies a leading position and offers a broad range of financial services to individuals, companies and the public sector. Outside its home market, Fortis concentrates on selected market segments. At year-end 2000, Fortis had total assets in excess of $410 billion. As one of the world's largest financial services companies, Fortis ranks 26th on the Fortune 'Global 500' and 33rd on the Forbes 'World Super 50' (July 24, 2000).

Contacts:

Fortis, Inc. Media:
Ruth Ekman
(651) 738-4581
[email protected]