Seelbach Named President of Armed Forces Insurance

One of AFI's senior leaders is taking on a new role in 2009: Mr. Kurt Seelbach, formerly senior vice president and chief operating officer, has become president of the organization. Former President Thomas A. Dials, Colonel, USA (Ret.) will remain as AFI's chairman and chief executive officer, while Seelbach will retain his role as chief operating officer.

Leavenworth, Kan. (PRWEB) February 12, 2009

"Kurt has the highest level of experience in his field, with an extensive background serving in corporate leadership positions," said Myron J. Griswold, Colonel, USA (Ret.), AFI board member and chairman of the Subscribers' Advisory Committee. "Combined with Tom's years of executive leadership at AFI and distinguished military service, these two individuals have the skills and experience required to lead our organization successfully into the future."

Kurt Seelbach, President and Chief Operating Officer
In his new role, Mr. Seelbach oversees day-to-day operations and directs the activities of all departments to develop and implement the company's strategic plan and annual business plan. Seelbach joined AFI as senior vice president and chief operating officer in 2008.

From 1998 to 2007, Mr. Seelbach was executive vice president of sales and marketing for Hortica, a national property and casualty company which provides financial products to a broad base of businesses in the horticultural industry. Prior to that role, he served as Hortica's chief financial officer for 12 years. He is a certified public accountant (CPA) and holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Illinois State University. He completed the requirements for the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 1992. He also is an Associate in Reinsurance (ARe).

Thomas A. Dials, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
As chairman and chief executive officer, Colonel Dials is responsible for coordinating the activities and agenda of the Subscribers' Advisory Committee (SAC) and board of directors to ensure effective governance and oversight of the business operations. His duties include providing guidance to the president and senior management on operational issues, as well as representing the position and policies of the company to subscribers and employees, external regulatory agencies, rating agencies, trade associations and business partners.

A distinguished military graduate of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Dials was commissioned second lieutenant, Armor in the Regular Army in 1970. Over the course of the next 25 years, he served one tour as an infantry officer in Vietnam and two tours in Europe in command and staff assignments with armor and cavalry units. He has commanded units to battalion level and served in key staff positions at all levels, including a tour as a strategic technology planner with the Office, Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, DC. Colonel Dials' final assignment was Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) System Manager, Army Battle Command Systems. He retired from active service in December 1994.

Colonel Dials' assignments with AFI through the years include director of research and information services; vice president, insurance support; and senior vice president of the Exchange. He assumed the duties of president of the Exchange and chairman of the board of directors of Armed Forces Insurance Corporation in January 2003.

Colonel Dials holds a master's degree in systems management from the University of Southern California and a master's degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College. He completed the requirements for the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 2004.

About Armed Forces Insurance
AFI was founded in 1887 by military leaders with a single mission: to protect the property of those who protect our nation. The company provides premium quality, competitively-priced property and casualty insurance to military professionals throughout the United States and overseas. Headquartered in Leavenworth, Kansas, AFI understands that its subscribers have unique circumstances and insurance needs, enabling the company to offer a level of personalized service that's unequaled in the industry. For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.afi.org or call 1-800-495-8234.

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Kurt Seelbach, President and Chief Operating Officer

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Thomas A. Dials, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

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