EX-99 2 ex991.txt EX 99.1 PRESS RELEASE DATED MAY 19, 2006 Exhibit 99.1 NEWS BULLETIN -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Old Republic International Corporation 307 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601-5382, 312/346-8100 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For Further Information: AT OLD REPUBLIC: AT FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD: A.C. Zucaro Leslie Loyet Chairman & CEO Analysts/Investors (312) 346-8100 (312) 640-6672 lloyet@financialrelationsboard.com AT FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD: Tim Grace Media Inquiries (312) 640-6667 tgrace@financialrelationsboard.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ORI: NYSE FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2006 OLD REPUBLIC ANNOUNCES SENIOR MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS CHICAGO, May 19, 2006 - Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE: ORI) today announced that its Board of Directors had approved the following senior management appointments effective July 1, 2006: * James A. Kellogg, 54, currently President of the Old Republic General Insurance Group, has been appointed to President and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation. In this position he becomes the fifth president in Old Republic's 83-year history, succeeding Al Zucaro, 67, who continues as the Corporation's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. * R. Scott Rager, 57, currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Old Republic's Great West Casualty Company operating subsidiary, has been elevated to President and Chief Operating Officer of the Old Republic General Insurance Group, succeeding Jim Kellogg. Additionally, Scott Rager was named to the new position of Senior Vice President-Administration and Planning of the Corporation. In addition to these new responsibilities, Scott Rager will join Old Republic's Office of the Chief Executive Officer which, as a result, will consist of: Jim Kellogg (54), President & Chief Operating Officer Spencer LeRoy (60), Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary Karl Mueller (46), Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Chris Nard (42), Senior Vice President-Mortgage Guaranty Scott Rager (57), Senior Vice President-General Insurance Rande Yeager (57), Senior Vice President-Title Insurance Al Zucaro (67), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer -more- Old Republic International Corp. Add 1 In making this announcement, Al Zucaro noted, "This strengthened alignment of senior executive responsibilities is intended to assure the continuity of our enterprise as a successful long-term undertaking for the common benefit of our shareholders and insurance subsidiaries' policyholders. The above-named managers are supported by a cadre of long-tenured executives and key associates deeply committed to Old Republic's culture of managing for the long haul. We are thrilled in being able to assure the continuity and consistency of our business philosophy with home grown talent." About Old Republic Chicago-based Old Republic International Corporation is an insurance holding company whose subsidiaries market, underwrite and provide risk management services for a wide variety of coverages, principally in the property and liability, mortgage guaranty and title insurance fields. One of the nation's 50 largest publicly owned insurance organizations, Old Republic has assets of approximately $11.6 billion and capitalization of $4.0 billion. Its current stock market valuation is approximately $4.9 billion. For the latest news releases and other corporate documents on Old Republic International, visit www.oldrepublic.com -30-