NEW YORK, June 21, 2004—Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ), a leading provider of specialized insurance and insurance-related products and services, today announced that Melissa Kivett has been appointed to the newly created position of Vice President, Investor Relations and Allen Walker to the newly created position of Vice President, Organization Development and Corporate Communications.
Ms. Kivett will work directly with Larry Cains, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, in managing Assurant's communications with the investment community. Mr. Walker will now lead Assurant's corporate communications efforts as well as continue to work in his areas of expertise, including executive education and employee development. He will work directly with Lesley Silvester, Executive Vice President.
J. Kerry Clayton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Assurant, Inc., said: "I am extremely pleased to announce these appointments of two long-tenured employees. Melissa's deep communications experience makes her a vital asset to the increasingly important role of the investor relations team and Allen's long-term commitment to the Company and understanding of our culture puts him in a unique position to communicate our messages effectively. Melissa and Allen exemplify our commitment to building a superior corporate reputation and developing excellent talent within Assurant."
Most recently, Ms. Kivett worked as Vice President, Corporate Marketing & Communications where she played a crucial role in successfully assisting the Company with its $2 billion initial public offering in February 2004. She joined Assurant in 1993 after working at Gulko Advertising and Public Relations. Ms. Kivett has an MBA from Columbia University.
Mr. Walker has been with Assurant since 1988 working in a variety of positions of increasing responsibility. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Walker served as Assistant Vice President, Organization Development. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Emory University.
About Assurant
Assurant is a premier provider of specialized insurance products and related services in North America and selected other markets. The four key businesses -- Assurant Employee Benefits; Assurant Health; Assurant Preneed; and Assurant Solutions -- have partnered with clients who are leaders in their industries and have built leadership positions in a number of specialty insurance market segments in the U.S. and selected international markets. The Assurant business units provide creditor-placed homeowners insurance; manufactured housing homeowners insurance; debt protection administration; credit insurance; warranties and extended services contracts; individual health and small employer group health insurance; group dental insurance; group disability insurance; group life insurance; and pre-funded funeral insurance.
The company, which is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIZ, has approximately $24 billion in assets and $7 billion in revenue. Assurant has more than 12,000 employees and is headquartered in New York's financial district.
Investor Relations:
Larry Cains
Assurant
212-859-7045
[email protected]
Carina Thate or Jason Thompson
Abernathy MacGregor Group
212-371-5999
[email protected] or [email protected]
Press contacts:
Melissa Kivett
Assurant
212-859-7029
[email protected]