NU Online News Service, Nov. 16, 3:13 p.m.EST

Allstate Corporation announced that Joseph P. Lacher Jr., 40,has been named president of Allstate Protection, responsible forall of the insurer's property and casualty offerings.

Mr. Lacher succeeds George Ruebenson, who the Northbrook,Ill.-based company said is retiring after nearly 40 years atAllstate. The firm said Mr. Lacher will serve as a member of thesenior management team and report to Thomas J. Wilson, Allstate'schairman, president and chief executive officer.

He will join Allstate effective Nov. 30.

Mr. Wilson called the new president "a recognized leader with anoutstanding track record of success. We look forward to having himon our team as we reinvent to build a foundation for sustainablegrowth."

From 2002 to 2009 Mr. Lacher served as the chief executiveofficer of Personal Insurance and executive vice president atTravelers.

Allstate said in 2006 Mr. Lacher also assumed responsibility forsmall commercial insurance as the executive vice president ofPersonal Insurance and Select Accounts- businesses representingapproximately 45 percent of Travelers' premiums.

During his tenure at Travelers, which began in 1991, Mr. Lacherheld a variety of leadership positions, including senior vicepresident of Pricing, Product and Underwriting for Personal Lines,senior vice president of Strategic Distribution for Personal Lines,and chief financial officer of Select Accounts.

"Having competed against Allstate for my entire career, I knowjust how phenomenal the Allstate brand, distribution network andorganization really are," said Mr. Lacher. "It is a first-classorganization with a first-class leadership team and a commitment tobe even better. I am excited about this opportunity."

Mr. Ruebenson will remain at Allstate through Dec. 31 and willwork closely with Mr. Lacher to ensure a smooth and effectivetransition, the company said.

Allstate Corp. is the nation's largest publicly held personallines insurer.