Allstate - You're in good hands

12/12/2005 NORTHBROOK, Ill. -

Michael J. Roche, senior vice president of Protection technology and administration for Allstate Insurance Company, today was named to IDG's Computerworld Premier 100 IT Leaders Award Program.

Roche was selected from nearly 500 nominees representing a myriad organizations around the world. The honorees are executives who show exemplary technology leadership in resolving pressing business problems, demonstrating the ability to foster creativity and challenging work environments while envisioning fresh approaches to business challenges and effectively managing IT investments.

Roche and the other recipients will be honored at a special black-tie ceremony at Computerworld's Premier 100 IT Leaders Conference, March 5-7, 2006, in Palm Desert, California.

"A number of challenges ranging from business continuity to security and outsourcing have redefined the traditional IT executive's role," said Don Tennant, editor in chief, Computerworld. "What's most unique to the 2006 class, however, has been their ability to remain flexible as the role of the IT executive evolves and changes."

Roche is responsible for all aspects of Protection technology management including architecture, thought leadership on technology trends, selection and adoption of appropriate technology products, and services and maintenance of innovative and effective technology solutions. He also is responsible for agency and customer support functions and the Allstate call centers, as well as leadership for the integration of various shared service functions for Allstate Protection. Allstate Protection combines the Allstate and Encompass property and casualty offerings through Allstate and Independent Agencies, respectively.

Roche is a member of the board of directors for One Economy, a national non-profit organization that helps bring access to technology into the homes of low-income people around the country. He is also a member of the board of trustees of Rosary High School, Aurora, IL.

Roche received a bachelor's degree in mathematics and masters in business administration from Northern Illinois University.

For more information about Allstate or a downloadable high-resolution photograph of Roche, please visit www.allstate.com/media.

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^®" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 13,600 exclusive agencies and financial professionals 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^®. Encompass^SM and Deerbrook^® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. 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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Marissa Quiles, 847-402-5600