GlobeNewswire Inc | Dec 17, 2021 08:30AM EST

December 17, 2021

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) today announced that Tom Gannon has joined the company as Vice President and Chief Government Relations Officer, and Nicki Cole has been promoted to Vice President, Technology, Small Business and Financial Services. In these new roles, Gannon will lead H&R Blocks government relations strategy, and Cole will lead technology growth across the small business and financial services lines of business.

As we launch new products and continue our transformation, Tom and Nicki will play important roles, said Jeff Jones, H&R Block President and CEO. Through their own expertise areas, they both will help ensure were evolving to continue to meet the unique needs of our clients.

Tom Gannon, Vice President and Chief Government Relations OfficerTom Gannon joins the company as Vice President and Chief Government Relations Officer, where he will lead H&R Blocks representation in legislative and related regulatory matters with national, regional, and local government by providing policy direction, coordinating government affairs initiatives, and lobbying for the organizations interests. Prior to joining the company, Gannon was the Vice President, U.S. Government Affairs at Mastercard where he led an in-house team and managed outside government relations firms. Gannon brings extensive knowledge in government relations, public policy, and community relations to H&R Block. He will report to General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer Tom Gerke. Gannon holds a bachelors degree from Canisius College and a masters degree from John Hopkins University.

Nicki Cole, Vice President, Technology, Small Business and Financial Services Nicki Colehas been promoted to Vice President, Technology, Small Business and Financial Services, where she will report to Chief Information Officer Alan Lowden and support the companys Small Business and Financial Services teams. Cole has been with H&R Block for 10 years and has been instrumental in leading many key initiatives in client systems, including one that enabled tax pros to work from anywhere amidst the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, Cole has led the build out of a new financial services offering, as well as planned enhancements to Block's small business services. Prior to joining H&R Block, Cole delivered large programs for Argus Health Systems and was a corporate Sales Trainer and Program Manager for Birch Telecom. Cole holds a bachelors degree from MidAmerica Nazarene University and a masters degree from University of MissouriKansas City.

About H&R Block

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through globaltax preparation,financial products, andsmall-business solutions. The company blends digital innovation with the human expertise and care of its associates and franchisees as it helps people get the best outcome at tax time and better manage and access their money year-round. ThroughBlock AdvisorsandWave, the company helps small-business owners thrive with innovative products like Wave Money, a small-business banking and bookkeeping solution, and the only business bank account to manage bookkeeping automatically. For more information, visitH&R Block Newsor follow@HRBlockNewson Twitter.

For Further Information Investor Relations: Michaella Gallina, (816) 854-3022, michaella.gallina@hrblock.com Jordyn Eskijian, (816) 854-5674, jordyn.eskijian@hrblock.com Media Relations: Angela Davied, (816) 854-5798, angela.davied@hrblock.com