(Oklahoma City, OK) – American Fidelity Assurance Company (AFA) was named today to FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for the sixth straight year. AFA is ranked No. 46 on this year's list. The full list and related stories appear in the Feb. 2 issue of FORTUNE, available on newsstands Jan. 26 and at www.fortune.com today. (Jan. 22)

In addition to celebrating this achievement with our Colleagues, AFA will also share our good fortune with four organizations in the community. On Friday, Jan. 30, the organizations – the # 14 Foundation, Infant Crisis Services Center, Wings of Harmony and New Leash on Life – will send representatives to American Fidelity to accept the donations and talk with Colleagues about their respective organizations. The donations are funded by the American Fidelity Foundation in conjunction with the Company.

Today, AFA Colleagues were met at the doors as they arrived for work and learned the news. Company executives were on hand to thank the Colleagues for their hard work, to give them a small prize package and to invite them to a pizza lunch to celebrate making the list for the sixth year in a row.

To pick the "100 Best Companies to Work For," FORTUNE works with Robert Levering and Milton Moskowitz of the Great Place to Work® Institute — a global research and consulting firm with offices in 30 countries — to conduct the most extensive employee survey in corporate America.

More than 81,000 employees from 353 companies responded to the 57-question survey created by the Institute. Two-thirds of a company’s score is based on the survey, which is sent to a minimum of 400 randomly selected employees. The remaining third is based on a company’s responses to the Culture Audit questionnaire, which asks detailed questions about demographics, pay and benefits, and open-ended questions on philosophy, communication and more.

"Making the list is quite an honor. But, it is much more than that. This is an extension of our strategic initiative to be an employer of choice. All of our efforts help us support a unique corporate culture with an eye toward providing for more than just success in business, but also fostering a positive work environment," said AFA CEO Bill Cameron. "We greatly appreciate the national acknowledgment of these efforts and fully believe our Colleagues deserve much of the credit."

AFA, one of the largest private, family-owned life insurance companies in the United States, was cited for offering an on-site fitness center and café with healthy menu options.

"I commend American Fidelity and its strong workforce for maintaining one of the nation's best work environments. The company's placement on the list for the sixth year in a row is a testament to their commitment to being a Great Place to Work," said Gov. Brad Henry. "And the company's choice to also give back to the community during their celebration time also demonstrates American Fidelity's commitment to making Oklahoma a great place to live."

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett also lauded the company for its contributions to the city.

"American Fidelity has established itself as one of the premier companies in the country," said Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett. "Inclusion on this prestigious list for the past six years has solidified their national reputation and has garnered recognition for the strong workforce that we have here in our community and throughout the state. I am so proud that American Fidelity calls Oklahoma City its home."

A driving factor for the companies on this year's list is that they excel at creating jobs. Of the 100 companies on the 2009 list, 73 are currently hiring.

It again has proven a banner year for American Fidelity as it continues to gain national recognition for its workplace culture. American Fidelity was again ranked on Computerworld magazine's list of the "Best Places to Work in IT" being cited by the publication for its excellent employee training programs and its retention of employees. AFA was also named to Training Magazine's 2008 Top 125 list.

AFA is one of the largest employers in Oklahoma City with more than 1,500 employees. More than 1,000 employees work at its Oklahoma City headquarters, while the rest are spread among 26 locations across the United States. AFA employees often talk about the company’s family atmosphere, a common theme among businesses that make the FORTUNE list.

About American Fidelity Assurance Company
American Fidelity Assurance Company is a third-generation, family-owned organization providing insurance products and financial services to education employees, trade association members and companies throughout the United States and across the globe. Founded in 1960, it has grown to become one of the largest private, family-owned life and health insurance companies in the United States. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, American Fidelity has more than 1,500 employees in 26 locations across the nation. It was named to Fortune magazine's 2008 list of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America for the fifth straight year and also is on Computerworld magazine's list of the "Best Places to Work in IT." In addition, it has been ranked by Training Magazine as one of the Top 125 Companies in America for employee training. Since 1982, American Fidelity has been rated "A+" (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, one of the nation's leading insurance rating services.

About the #14 Foundation
The #14 Foundation came to light when founder Josh Heupel put into perspective his time in the spotlight as quarterback of the 2000 National Championship OU football team. The Foundation is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of children in need to help them achieve their highest potential by providing programs which inspire hope as well as developing leadership, accountability, goal-setting and achievement.

About Wings of Harmony
Wings of Harmony is a performing arts group for youth and young adults from at-risk communities. The group's goal is to develop an outstanding, well-disciplined and message driven choral group capable of making great music for various audiences while maintaining good academic standing and strong character. The group is an outgrowth of the Eagle Ridge Institute, which works to promote healthy lifestyles for family preservation, youth development and community progress.

About Infant Crisis Services Center
The mission of Infant Crisis Service is that in the richest nation of the world, no baby should go hungry. Infant Crisis Services believes that every baby and toddler deserves life’s basic necessities. With the help of the community, Infant Crisis Services supplies life-sustaining formula and food as well as diapers and clothing for babies and toddlers in times of crisis.

About New Leash on Life
New Leash on Life has made it their mission to implement positive reinforcement-based dog training programs in correctional facilities, to train unwanted dogs that are temperamentally sound and healthy to their best potential and to provide training support for assistance dogs in the community. The group currently provides professional dog training instruction to inmates at correctional facilities. The inmates are instructed in positive-reinforcement training methods and work with select dogs from local shelters.