HMN Horace Mann Educators Corporation

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Horace Mann Educators Corp. (NYSE:HMN) announced the election of two new directors to its Board. Gabriel L. Shaheen and Charles R. "Chuck" Wright were elected by the Board of Directors bringing the number of Board members to nine. Shaheen, 53, is a partner in NxtStar Ventures LLC, an advisory firm providing counsel to clients in the life insurance and retail financial services business. Prior to joining NxtStar Ventures, he spent more than 22 years with The Lincoln National Life Insurance Companies in positions that included President and CEO of Lincoln National Reinsurance, Managing Director of Lincoln UK and President and CEO of Lincoln National Life Insurance Company. Shaheen is a graduate of the University of Michigan where he earned B.A. and Masters of Actuarial Science degrees. Wright, 65, retired in 2004 after serving as the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Agency and Marketing Officer for State Farm Insurance, the largest auto and home insurer in the country. In his 41 year career with State Farm, Wright worked as an agent and agency manager prior to assuming positions of increasing responsibility which included Regional Vice President - Illinois and Agency VP - President's Office. He is past chairman of the American College. Wright is a graduate of Yankton College and holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations. "We are indeed fortunate to have people with Gabe's and Chuck's standing in the insurance business join the Horace Mann Board of Directors," said Louis G. Lower II, President and CEO of Horace Mann. "Their combined experience and industry knowledge will help guide our company as we move ahead with our plans for profitable growth." The company also announced that its Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program allowing repurchases up to $50 million and ended the May 1999 authorization. The new share repurchase program authorizes the repurchase of common shares in open market or privately negotiated transactions, from time to time, depending on market conditions. Horace Mann -- the largest national multi-line insurance company focusing on educators' financial needs -- provides auto and homeowners insurance, retirement annuities, life insurance and other financial solutions. Founded by educators for educators in 1945, the company is headquartered in Springfield, Illinois. For more information visit http://www.horacemann.com/. DATASOURCE: Horace Mann Educators Corp. CONTACT: Dwayne D. Hallman, Senior Vice President, Finance of Horace Mann Educators Corporation, +1-217-788-5707 Web site: http://www.horacemann.com/

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