American National Investments Retail Services
Promotes Mark Ashton to Vice President

January 31, 2006

SAN DIEGO, Calif.—Mark Ashton was been promoted to Vice President of American National Investments (ANI) ANI Retail Sales. Previously the Director of ANI Retail Services, Ashton will be leading the specialty division which is comprised of commercial brokerage and commercial property management teams. Cumulatively, the ANI Retail Service team represents property owners, developers, and tenants as well as facilitates negotiations for the sales and leases of commercial properties.

Ashton brings over twenty years of retail commercial real estate experience working for premier property management companies including Chicago-based Urban Retail Properties, CB Richard Ellis, Hollis & Associates and TrizecHahn. In Southern California, he managed and leased seven regional shopping centers averaging over 1 million square feet, over twenty community and neighborhood centers and several medical office buildings. In addition, Ashton is also recognized as A Senior Certified Shopping Center Manager by the International Council of Shopping Centers and has a current Real Estate Sales License in the State of California.

“Mark is a talented professional and we could not be more excited to have him in such an important leadership capacity for ANI Retail Services,” said Gina Champion-Cain, President & CEO, American National Investments, Inc. “He brings a great expertise and talent that will be a continued asset to our clients and organization.”

Gina Champion-Cain founded ANI eight years ago. Under her leadership, ANI has emerged as the pioneer in the movement to redevelop long-neglected properties into thriving destinations where residential, retail, office and entertainment uses combined space to create signature destinations. In addition to the new unified commercial division, her corporation offers specialty expertise in ANI Homes, ANI Commercial Brokerage and ANI Development.