Allstate Appoints Desiree Rogers to Create Social Networking in Growing Financial Services Division

Business Wire, June 26, 2008

Former President of Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas and Director of Illinois Lottery Well-Respected Civic and Community Leader in the Greater Chicago Region

NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- Allstate Insurance Company today announced it has appointed Chicago area business and civic leader Desiree Rogers to the newly created position of president of Social Networking for Allstate Financial, a business unit of The Allstate Corporation. She will also be a member of Allstate Financial's Executive Committee.

Rogers will assume the new role starting in July and report to Jim Hohmann, president and CEO of Allstate Financial. In her role, Rogers will be responsible for building a social network that connects middle-market consumers--often alienated and confused by a myriad of financial products and services--with other like-minded Americans to share experiences, insights, and wisdom. Social networks are a new approach to harness the collective experience of consumers through interactive communities, affinity groups and new external relationships.

"The ability to recruit exceptional leaders, like Desiree, demonstrates the strength of Allstate's reputation, strategy and team," said Thomas J. Wilson, chairman, president and CEO of The Allstate Corporation. "While sound strategies and great processes are important, it is talented people who will achieve our vision of reinventing protection and retirement for the consumer."

This new position builds on the continued expansion of the Allstate Financial business unit. Allstate Financial offers innovative products to middle-market consumers that simplify the investment process and address growing retirement needs.

Prior to joining Allstate, Rogers was president of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, now divisions of Integrys Energy Group. In this role, she launched a range of strategic initiatives to improve customer service and integrate technology into company operations. Previously, she was director of the Illinois Lottery, where she led a reinvention effort that culminated in the launch of the Mega Millions multi-state game.

"Desiree's strong business acumen and demonstrated leadership abilities combined with her deep civic engagement position her as an ideal leader to accelerate Allstate's mission of helping working Americans address their growing financial needs," said Jim Hohmann, president and CEO of Allstate Financial. "Our research shows that middle-market consumers need help planning for their retirement and are often overlooked by financial services companies."

"I'm excited to join Allstate and look forward to my new role with Allstate Financial," said Rogers. "The company's emphasis on reinventing protection and retirement for the consumer is a smart strategy and its product innovation geared to hard-working Americans is inspiring."

A well-known and highly respected business leader in the Chicago area community, Rogers was the first female African-American president of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas. Rogers serves on two corporate boards: Equity Residential, a $15 billion residential REIT and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. She also sits on the boards of the Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Museum of Science and Industry and The Polk Foundation.

She has been named one of the 50 most powerful African-American women in business by Black Enterprise. Throughout her career, she has been regularly featured as an industry spokesperson and business leader in national and local media including the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Crain's Chicago Business, Black Enterprise, Ebony, and Vogue.

For additional information about Allstate Insurance Company, visit www.allstate.com. For more information about Allstate Financial, visit www.myallstatefinancial.com.

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([R])" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 exclusive agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at Allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate([R]). Encompass([R]) and Deerbrook([R])Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.