HOUSTON, April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of American
General Corporation (NYSE: AGC) today announced that Robert M. Devlin,
president and chief executive officer, has been named chairman of the board.
Devlin succeeds Harold S. Hook, who retired at today's annual shareholders'
meeting.  Devlin relinquishes the title of president and becomes only the
fourth chairman and chief executive officer in the company's 71-year history.
    The board also named James S. D'Agostino Jr. president of American General
Corporation.  D'Agostino joins Jon P. Newton, vice chairman, and Devlin in the
office of the chairman.  Previously, D'Agostino served as chairman and chief
executive officer of American General Life and Accident Insurance Company in
Nashville, a position he assumed in 1993.
    In the new alignment of the office of the chairman, Newton will have
responsibilities for corporate operations, while D'Agostino will be
responsible for American General's operating companies.
    In commenting on the announcement, J. Evans Attwell, the company's senior
director, said, "Mr. Devlin's elevation to chairman comes as no surprise.  Bob
has demonstrated the strategic vision and leadership qualities necessary to
build upon American General's record of success.  He leads a strong, capable
management team committed to realizing American General's potential through
growth and superior profitability."
    Robert M. Devlin, American General chairman and chief executive officer,
said, "I am honored to have the opportunity to serve this great organization
and lead it into the 21st century.  American General is well positioned to
meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities presented in the
dynamic financial services industry.  We have the organizational structure and
the management personnel to capitalize on this unique time in American
General's history."
    Devlin, 56, joined American General in 1977 and has served in a broad
range of senior management positions in the parent company and in operating
subsidiaries.  He was elected vice chairman and director of American General
Corporation in 1993 and served in that position before being named president
in 1995 and chief executive officer in 1996.  Devlin served as president and
chief executive officer of American General Life Insurance Company from 1986
to 1993.  A Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), he holds a B.A. degree in
Economics from Tulane University.
    Newton, 55, joined the company in 1993 as senior vice president and
general counsel.  He was elected vice chairman and a director in October 1995.
Prior to that time, he was a partner in the Austin law firm of Clark, Thomas,
Winters & Newton.  He holds two degrees, a B.A. and a J.D., from The
University of Texas at Austin.  Newton completed the Advanced Management
Program at Harvard University.
    D'Agostino, 50, joined American General in 1986 and held several key
management positions in the parent company before being named chairman and
chief executive officer of the American General Life and Accident Insurance
Company in 1993.  He holds two degrees, a B.S. in Economics from Villanova
University and a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law.  D'Agostino
also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.
    American General Corporation is one of the nation's largest diversified
financial services organizations with assets of $67 billion and shareholders'
equity of $5.2 billion.  Headquartered in Houston, it is a leading provider of
retirement services, life insurance, and consumer loans to over nine million
customers.  American General common stock is listed on the New York, Pacific,
London, and Swiss stock exchanges.

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