ALLENTOWN, Pa., March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Penn Treaty American Corporation (NYSE: PTA - News) today announced that Jim Von Bruchhaeuser has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer ("CMO"). As the Company's chief marketing strategist, Von Bruchhaeuser's appointment is designed to solidify Penn Treaty's executive management team and enhance significantly the Company's position in the long-term care insurance ("LTCi") market.

Reporting directly to William Hunt, Penn Treaty's President and CEO, Mr. Von Bruchhaeuser will direct the Company's strategy to market its LTCi products through field marketing organizations ("FMOs") and financial advisors, and will oversee the operations of Penn Treaty's insurance agency subsidiaries: United Insurance Group of Milford, Michigan, and Network Insurance Senior Health Division of Palm Harbor, Florida.

"Jim's professional experience and knowledge of the long-term care insurance industry will be a tremendous asset to our Company," Hunt said. "Penn Treaty recognizes the value of a focused marketing strategy and Jim's leadership will enable us to capitalize on our strength within the LTCi market and especially within the physically-impaired market niche."

"I am eager to take on this challenge and make a major contribution both to the long-term care insurance industry and to Penn Treaty's efforts to move our sales to even higher levels," Von Bruchhaeuser said. "Penn Treaty's reputation for innovation and foresight in the physically-impaired risk market is well-known and deserved, and recently developed innovative sales tools, such as its PersonaLTC® platform for financial advisors and its new LTCi QuickPass(SM) program, will greatly improve product delivery. This is an exciting time to get involved with the Company."

Mr. Von Bruchhaeuser's LTCi experience spans almost 40 years. Most recently he served as Senior Vice President for M&O Marketing, a national FMO distributing life insurance, annuities, and long term care insurance products. There, he specialized in the revitalization of LTCi sales, with a focus on Penn Treaty products. He began his career with Continental Casualty Company ("CNA"), where he gained valuable experience in underwriting, product development, administration, sales, and distribution education. During his time at CNA, he managed an internal sales staff and a brokerage operation of several thousand agents.

He serves on the advisory board of the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance, has been a member of Penn Treaty's Advisory Council, and served on agent advisory boards for several major long-term care insurance carriers. A graduate of Northeastern Illinois State University, Mr. Von Bruchhaeuser also holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago and received the Chartered Life Underwriter designation from the American College.

The Company, through its wholly owned direct and indirect subsidiaries, Penn Treaty Network America Insurance Company, American Network Insurance Company, American Independent Network Insurance Company of New York, United Insurance Group Agency, Inc., Network Insurance Senior Health Division and Senior Financial Consultants Company, is primarily engaged in the underwriting, marketing and sale of individual and group accident and health insurance products, principally covering long-term nursing home and home health care.