City of Hope Names New Chairman of the Board

Duarte, Calif.-based City of Hope, a world-renowned research and treatment center for cancer and other life-threatening diseases, announced the appointment of Philip L. Engel, former president of Chicago-based CNA Insurance Companies to chairman of the board of directors. A widely recognized financial executive and a City of Hope board member since 1997, Engel will replace outgoing Chairman of the Board Jack Suzar, who will complete his two terms as the organization’s volunteer chairman in July 2004.

Engel’s appointment marks the first time in the 90-year history of City of Hope that the chairman of the board does not reside in Southern California.

“The appointment of Philip Engel solidly positions City of Hope for our next phase of growth and for advancing our mission to end the devastation of cancer and other serious diseases,” said Suzar. “In addition to expanding the board¹s geographical diversity to match the national impact of City of Hope, we have attracted the top-level management and governance experience necessary to achieve growth and meet the humanitarian objectives of the institution.”

“For 90 years, City of Hope has made invaluable contributions to the national biomedical research and treatment effort, with innovations that have profoundly changed the course of treatment for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases,” said Engel. “I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the board of directors in shaping the vision of this great institution and in furthering its humanitarian effort to improve the lives of patients and their families across the nation and around the world.”

Engel is a highly regarded executive within the insurance industry, serving as CNA president from 1992 through 1999, retiring in 1999 after a 37-year career with the company. A Fellow of both the Society of Actuaries and of the Casualty Actuarial Society, Engel is one of the few individuals in the nation to hold this Double Fellow distinction. He is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries. Engel also serves as chairman of the board of directors of the Midwest Insurance Industry Council that supports City of Hope.

The board of directors also added the new position of vice chairs to support the new chairman. Sheri Biller, current chair of the Board Nominating Committee, and Terry Peets, current chair of the Development and Marketing Committee on the board, were both named vice chairs-elect.

“Both Sheri Biller and Terry Peets have provided years of distinguished service to City of Hope and will bring unique insight and vision to the board of directors and the institution as a whole,” said Michael A. Friedman, MD, City of Hope president and chief executive officer.