General American Investors Company Says CEO Will Retire at End of Year

At a Directors' meeting held today, Spencer Davidson announced his intention to retire as Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio Manager of General American Investors Company, Inc. (NYSE symbol: GAM) as of December 31, 2012; he will continue to serve the Company as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Davidson expressed his appreciation for the support of his dedicated Board and staff during his tenure with the Company. Mr. Davidson joined General American Investors in 1994 as Senior Investment Counselor and was appointed President of the Company in 1995. On February 1, 2012 he was succeeded as President by Mr. Jeffrey W. Priest. In addition to his position as President, Mr. Priest was elected today to succeed Mr. Davidson as Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio Manager, effective January 1, 2013. In making the announcement, the Board indicated that given Mr. Priest's extensive experience in the securities industry and excellent record as a portfolio manager, he was eminently qualified to assume responsibility for the operations of General American Investors and to manage its investment portfolio. Mr. Priest joined the Company in October 2010 and has spent his entire twenty-six year business career in the investment management and financial services industry. Mr. Priest graduated from the College of Wooster in 1985 and Duke University's Fuqua School of Business with an MBA in 1994. He has also served the Financial Accounting Standards Board as a member of the Emerging Issues Task Force on Acquisition Accounting as well as a contributor on a number of other projects.