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Albert T. Annexstad Named 2010 Horatio Alger Award Recipient
Federated Insurance Companies Chairman to be Inducted April 2010 in Washington, D.C., for Overcoming Adversity

WASHINGTON, December 14, 2009 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that Albert T. Annexstad, chairman of Federated Insurance Companies, will receive the 2010 Horatio Alger Award in recognition of his personal and professional success despite humble and challenging beginnings.

Annexstad will be formally inducted into the association when he accepts the Horatio Alger Award on April 9, 2010, in Washington, D.C. Recipients of the award have overcome great adversity to achieve admirable accomplishments, to serve as examples of achieving the American Dream, and to offer their time and resources to help others in need.

“We are delighted to induct these individuals into the Horatio Alger Association and to honor their stories of success in the face of significant struggle,” said David L. Sokol, president and CEO of the Horatio Alger Association. “We believe that adversity builds character, and Mr. Annexstad’s story is no exception. His life story of strength, resolve and achievement is commendable, and he will help fulfill our mission of helping other young people realize similar success.”

The youngest of four children, Annexstad was born on a small dairy farm near St. Peter, Minnesota, in 1940. When he was 5 years old, his father died unexpectedly. His mother’s sacrifice and fortitude to raise the family alone made a lasting impression on him. Annexstad attended public schools and worked in his off hours to help his mother with expenses. He worked his way through Minnesota State Universitywith multiple jobs, and in his senior year began his Federated Insurance career as a sales representative in his hometown of St. Peter. Within three years, he was promoted to district marketing manager.

Annexstad has had an uninterrupted 45-year career with Federated. During his leadership tenure, he has positioned Federated as one of the nation’s largest and most financially secure mutual, multiple-line insurance companies. Annexstad has received many lifetime honors including membership induction into the Minnesota Business Hall of Fame and Minnesota Business Partnership’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to young people; induction into Ernst & Young’s National Business Hall of Fame; Minnesota State University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award, the institution’s highest honor; and an honorary doctorate degree from Gustavus Adolphus College.
Annexstad will be honored among 10 other remarkable individuals who will receive the 2010 award for their hard work, self-reliance and perseverance:

• William Alfred Cook, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Cook Group Incorporated
• Tommy Ray Franks, Former Commander-in-Chief, US Central Command, and Chairman, Franks & Associates
• Joseph M. “Jody” Grant, Partner and Senior Advisor, BankCap Partners, and Chairman Emeritus, Texas Capital Bank
• Jenard M. Gross, President, Gross Investments
• Lawrence Mead Higby, CEO (Retired), Vice Chairman and Advisor, Apria Healthcare Group Inc.
• Richard D. Holland, Philanthropist and Chairman (Retired), Rollheiser Holland Kahler Advertising
• Alan B. Miller, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Universal Health Services, Inc.
• Condoleezza Rice, Former Secretary of State, US Department of State, and Provost, Stanford University
• James M. Seneff Jr., Founder and CEO, CNL Financial Group, Inc.
• Earl W. Stafford Sr., Chief Executive Officer, The Wentworth Group LLC, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Stafford Foundation, Inc.

In addition, the 2010 Norman Vincent Peale Award will be presented to Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas. The Norman Vincent Peale Award is annually conferred on an association member who has made exceptional humanitarian contributions to society, who has been an active participant in the association, and who continues to exhibit courage, tenacity and integrity in the face of great challenges. The award is named in honor of Dr. Peale, who was an outstanding leader of the association for more than 40 years. 

The 2010 members will receive their awards at the 2010 Horatio Alger Awards Induction Ceremonies April 8-10, 2010. Activities include three days of meetings and celebrations in some of the nation’s most historic buildings. The Horatio Alger National Scholars, remarkable high school seniors who have excelled despite adversity, also will  be formally honored during the three-day gathering.

A complete list of all of the Horatio Alger Members can be found at http://www.horatioalger.org/members.cfm.

About The Horatio Alger Association
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans continues to fulfill its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals in our society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. The Horatio Alger Association offers three annual scholarship programs: the National Scholarship Program, state scholarship rpograms, and graduate grants. The association awards nearly $7 million annually in college scholarships and has given more than $70 million to deserving students since 1984. The association is a 2009 Combined Federal Campaign participant, ID# 77062. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

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