Citizens and Hanover Insurance Companies Name Douglas H. McDonough Reg

WORCESTER, Mass., March 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Citizens and Hanover Insurance Companies have named Douglas H. McDonough regional president of its emerging Mid Atlantic region, effective immediately. In this role, he will manage all aspects of sales and distribution for the companies' commercial and personal lines operations in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Pennsylvania, further developing the companies' presence in these areas.

"This newly-defined territory within our Southern region presents tremendous opportunity for our organization. Doug's extensive experience in underwriting, marketing and distribution management, coupled with his knowledge of the region, better position us to deliver the world class products and services our agents and their customers in the region need and deserve," said Robin A. Nicks, president of Citizens and Hanover Insurance Companies' Southern region. "We're very pleased to have Doug as part of our team."

McDonough comes to Citizens and Hanover from St. Paul Travelers, where he served for the last year as vice president and regional executive of the company's commercial lines operations for the Mid Atlantic region. McDonough also was responsible for distribution management and operations for all other business units in the region.

From 1998 to early 2004, McDonough was the regional executive for the St. Paul Companies' middle market business, responsible for distribution management and operations of the company's Mid Atlantic region. Prior to this time, he held senior management positions with United States Fidelity & Guaranty Company (USF&G), the Home Insurance Company and The Hartford Group.

McDonough holds a bachelor's degree in economics and business management from Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey. He will be based out of the company's Richmond office.

Citizens and Hanover Insurance Companies together are ranked among the top 35 property and casualty insurers in the country and are subsidiaries of Allmerica Financial Corporation , a Fortune 500 company. Worcester, Massachusetts-based The Hanover Insurance Company, founded in 1852, and Howell, Michigan-based Citizens Insurance Company of America, founded in 1915, offer a range of property and casualty insurance coverages to individuals, families and businesses through a network of independent agents.

Note to editors: For a photograph of Douglas H. McDonough, please contact Todd Peckham using the e-mail address or telephone number below.

CONTACTS: Investors: Media: Sujata Mutalik Todd M. Peckham (508) 855-3457 (508) 855-4460 smutalik@allmerica.com tpeckham@allmerica.com