Mark J. Morrison
Chief Operating Officer
817-348-1600
http://www.hallmarkgrp.com
FORT WORTH, Texas -- April 18, 2005 -- Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. (Amex: HAF.EC)
today announced that effective April 18, 2005, Hallmark's Board of Directors
has elected Mark J. Morrison, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
to the additional position of Chief Operating Officer. In addition to his duties
as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Morrison will be responsible for developing
and implementing strategies for broadening Hallmark's business base.
Mark E. Schwarz,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company stated, "We are pleased
to have Mark Morrison bring his 23 years of experience in financial management,
administration and strategic planning to the expanded role as Chief Operating
Officer. Mark has 14 years experience in the property and casualty insurance
industry and has made significant contributions to the Company in the period
he has been with Hallmark."
Mr. Morrison joined
the Company on March 22, 2004 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, responsible for managing and executing all aspects of the financial
growth of the Company. He came to the Company from Associates Insurance Group
in Dallas, Texas, a subsidiary of St. Paul Travelers, where he served as President
since January 2001. Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Associates
First Capital Corporation's insurance operations, which included Associates
Insurance Group, Northland Insurance Group, American Equity Insurance Group
and Mendota Insurance Group. Mr. Morrison began his professional career in 1982
in public accounting with Ernst & Young, LLP in Indianapolis, Indiana, where
he ended his tenure in 1991 as a Senior Manager of Assurance Services serving
the insurance practice. Mr. Morrison holds a CPA certification and a Bachelor
of Science degree in Business Accounting from Indiana University (Bloomington).
Hallmark Financial
Services, Inc. engages primarily in the sale of property and casualty insurance
products. The Company's business involves marketing and underwriting of non-standard
personal automobile insurance primarily in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico, marketing
commercial insurance primarily in Texas, New Mexico, Idaho, Oregon and Washington,
third party claims administration, and other insurance related services. The
Company is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and its common stock is listed
on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "HAF.EC".
Forward-looking
statements in this Release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor"
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned
that actual results may differ substantially from such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not
limited to, continued acceptance of the Company's products and services in the
marketplace, competitive factors, interest rate trends, the availability of
financing, underwriting loss experience and other risks detailed from time to
time in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
For further information, please contact:
Mark J. Morrison, Chief Operating Officer at 817-348-1600
http://www.hallmarkgrp.com
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