Washington, D.C. (May 21, 2012) – Dennis Johnson, President and CEO of United Heritage Life Insurance Company, is the 2012 recipient of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) Forum 500's Distinguished Service Award. He received the award today at the Forum 500 Section’s Leadership Retreat in Kansas City, Mo.

The award is presented to an individual whose work has greatly contributed to the life insurance industry, especially to small and medium-sized life insurance companies, which the Forum 500 represents.

"Throughout his long and illustrious career, Dennis has continuously demonstrated a commitment to our industry’s mission of helping Americans achieve financial and retirement security. This award is presented in recognition of those efforts," said Dirk Kempthorne, ACLI　President and CEO. "It is a true pleasure to honor a fellow Idahoan whose leadership and reputation for excellence is well-known and admired among his many friends in the life insurance industry."

Mr. Johnson has served as President and CEO of United Heritage Life Insurance Company since January 1999. He first joined United Heritage (then known as Grange Mutual) in 1983 as General Counsel.

In addition to his responsibilities at United Heritage, Mr. Johnson serves on ACLI’s Forum 500 Board of Directors and was Forum 500 Chairman in 2010. He is a past President of the Idaho Insurance Council and a past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Life and Health Guaranty Association.

Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Northwest Nazarene University, cum laude, with a double major in History and Social Science with an economics concentration. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho College of Law. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Idaho Bar Association and is admitted to practice law in the State and Federal Courts of Idaho and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mr. Johnson and his wife Kathy have two daughters. The family resides in Eagle, ID.