SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. Appoints Ellen Thrower to Board of Directors

July 07, 2004

Leading Insurance Educator and Risk Management Professional from St. John's University to Help Lead Company's National Expansion

New York, N.Y. - SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. today announced the appointment of Dr. Ellen Thrower, executive director of St. John's University's School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science (SRM), to its Board of Directors.

SBLI USA is a financial services company dedicated to building long-term relationships with its customers and empowering them through financial education. As one of 14 board members, Dr. Thrower will contribute her extensive knowledge and expertise of the insurance industry to help lead SBLI USA through its national expansion.  Since 2003, she has been an active member of the company's corporate advisory board.

"I am extremely pleased to be joining the Board of Directors of SBLI USA," said Dr. Thrower. "I have a great admiration for the management team and hold the company's efforts in high regard."

Since 2001, Dr. Thrower has served as executive director of the School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science at St. John's University, where she is a tenured faculty member.  Prior to that, she was president and CEO of the College of Insurance and its parent organization, the Insurance Society of New York (both of which have awarded her the title President Emerita for long and meritorious service). She has also served as director of the Insurance Center at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. 

"Ellen Thrower is a welcome addition to our Board of Directors," said Vikki L. Pryor, president and CEO of SBLI USA. "As one of the nation's leading educators and professionals in the area of risk management, she will be able to help us maintain our leadership position in providing affordable life insurance products for the people who make America work."

Named one of the "Top 100 Women in Insurance" by Business Insurance in 2000, Dr. Thrower serves on the executive committee and board of the Insurance Education Foundation.  She also serves on the board of directors of XL Capital, Ltd., United Educators, Inc. and the Risk Foundation, and is an active member of the International Insurance Society.  Her numerous awards and honors include the Chairman's Award from the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, Insurance Woman of the Year from the Association Of Professional Insurance Women, and the Annual Achievement Award from the National Insurance Industry Association, a professional association for minorities in insurance and risk management.

Dr. Thrower holds B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Ph. D from Georgia State University.

About SBLI USA

SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. is a financial services company that is committed to the value-conscious people who make America work.  The company is dedicated to building lifelong relationships with customers and empowering them with the education and tools they need to take control of their financial destinies.

SBLI USA and its subsidiaries are licensed in 49 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.  With more than $1.4 billion in assets, $120 million in surplus capital, 250 employees and over 400,000 customers, the company is committed to offering affordable, flexible and easy-to-access products through a variety of integrated channels, including direct mail, telemarketing, the Internet and licensed agents, as it expands nationally.

SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. is the parent company to SBLI USA Holdings, Inc., which owns subsidiary companies S.USA Life Insurance Company, Inc., and SBLI USA Diversified Services Company, Inc.

Additional information about SBLI USA products and services can be found at http://www.sbliusa.com/.