A native of Lincoln, Neb., Arth’s forty-year career began in 1968 when he joined then Bankers Life Nebraska as a mortgage loan assistant. He rose through the ranks of the investment area, where he was instrumental in Ameritas entering the variable life insurance and annuity business. In 1988, Arth was named president and chief operating officer, and in 1995 was elected Ameritas chairman and CEO.

Changes in the federal mutual holding company laws created new opportunities, and Arth was among the first to seize upon them. Once a mutual holding company, Ameritas merged with Acacia Life Insurance Company, Washington, D.C., in 1999 to form Ameritas Acacia Mutual Holding Company. Arth was elected chairman of the board and CEO of the new entity.

In 2006, Arth led a second merger of mutual holding companies, joining forces with The Union Central Life Insurance Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, and establishing UNIFI Mutual Holding Company. Arth was named chairman and CEO, and in May 2007, he was elected chairman of the UNIFI Companies board of directors.

The Arth years at Ameritas will be remembered for the company’s financial strength, enterprise-wide growth, expansion into public finance, the “Be The Best” quality process, forming a mutual holding company, his leadership in the mergers with Acacia and Union Central, and his vision for the future. In 1988, when the company changed its name from Bankers Life Nebraska to Ameritas, it recorded 1 billion dollars in assets, 100 million dollars in equity and 700 associates. As of December 31, 2007, UNIFI Companies reached 18 billion dollars in assets, more than 2 billion dollars in equity, nearly 37 billion dollars in assets under management and 2,500 associates nationwide.

Arth’s legacy is one of highest ethical standards, compassion, dedication to community service, promises kept and a commitment to our members, customers and associates.

Arth earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from the University of Nebraska and served two years in the United States Navy.

Dedicated to industry associations and community service, Arth served on many boards of directors, such as LOMA (Life Office Management Association), American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), Nebraska Wesleyan University, University of Nebraska Foundation, Governor of Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, Nebraska Council on Economic Education, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Chamber Economic Development Corporation, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Catholic Social Services, Catholic Diocese of Lincoln Foundation, St. Elizabeth Community Health Center, Madonna Centers, Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board, Nebraska Wesleyan Great Teaching Program, FirsTier Financial Inc., Lincoln Country Club, Omaha-Lincoln Society of Financial Analysts, Lincoln Public Schools Foundation, Homestead Girl Scout Council, Leadership Lincoln.

Arth was the recipient of a number of honors throughout his career, including the University of Nebraska Alumni Association Business Leadership Award in 1998, University of Nebraska Foundation Perry Branch Award in 2002, Leadership Lincoln Community Pillar Award in 2004, Nebraska Business Hall of Fame in 2005, Roger T. Larsen Community Builders Award in 2005, and UNL College of Business Administration Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

Arth is survived by his wife, Mary, Lincoln, Neb., and his children, Laura Arth, Alexandria, Va., Susie Arth, Larchmont, N.Y., and Bill Arth, Chicago, Ill.

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For more information, contact:
Scott Stuckey, vice president – corporate communications
402-467-7432
sstuckey@ameriatas.com