Allen R. Freedman retired in July 2000 as CEO and Chairman of Assurant (NYSE: AIZ), formerly Fortis, Inc., New York. In 1979 Mr. Freedman became the first employee of Fortis, Inc. and over his twenty-two year history grew the company to over $24 billion in assets, 11,000 employees and $7 billion in revenues. Assurant is now recognized as one of the major specialty insurers in the United States. Its' initial IPO and simultaneous listing on the NYSE took place February 5, 2004.