H&R Block Appoints Agar Chief Information Officer
23-Year GE Veteran Brings Business, Technology Knowledge to Position
KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 22, 2007--H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today named Richard Agar as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, effective June 25.
In that role, Agar will oversee technology strategy and delivery for the company. He will be responsible for the next-generation tax information systems platform, which includes the tools and services that enable the company's tax professionals to better serve clients. Agar will also focus on process automation to deliver improved operational excellence across the company's corporate and business services.
"Rich will be a valuable business partner and member of the executive team at H&R Block," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Ernst said. "His background and experiences will bring a new perspective to the issues we face as our clients' tax and financial partner."
Agar succeeds Marc West, who was named in April to the new position of Group President, Commercial Tax Markets. Agar will report to Ernst.
Since 2006, Agar has been the Chief Operating Officer and Information Technology Integration Leader for Swiss Re's Commercial Insurance business.
He joined Swiss Re after 23 years at General Electric Co. Agar started at GE in 1983, rising to Global Chief Information Officer of GE Insurance Solutions, at the time the world's fourth-largest reinsurance company. Prior to that position, he had been Global CIO of GE Silicones and Chief Technology Officer of GE Plastics. He also served in various other capacities at GE, including operations management and Six Sigma quality positions.
Before joining GE, Agar worked in the banking industry at Berkshire Bank in Pittsfield, Mass., and Savings Management Computing Co. in Boston.
Agar received his bachelor's degree in accounting at Bentley College in Waltham, Mass.
About H&R Block
H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is a leading provider of tax, financial, and accounting and business consulting services and products. H&R Block is the world's largest tax services provider, having prepared more than 400 million tax returns since 1955. The company and its subsidiaries reported revenues of $4.0 billion and net income from continuing operations of $374.3 million in fiscal year 2007. The company has continuing operations in three principal business segments: Tax Services (income tax return preparation and related services and products via in-office, online and software solutions); Business Services (accounting, tax and business consulting services primarily for midsized companies); and Consumer Financial Services (brokerage services, investment planning and related financial advice along with full-service consumer banking). Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., H&R Block markets its continuing services and products under two leading brands - H&R Block and RSM McGladrey. For more information visit our Online Press Center at www.hrblock.com.
CONTACT: H&R Block Inc.
Ron Iori, 816-854-7502
ron.iori@hrblock.com
SOURCE: H&R Block Inc.