H&R Block Co-Founder Retires This Fall

Henry W. Bloch (yes, it's spelled right!) is planning to retire from his namesake firm, H&R Block [1] in September. The departure is notable because it marks the first time a anyone with the last name of Bloch has not been at the firm since it began in 1946.

The news also comes just after the company's first quarter earnings were announced April 30; earnings were up 10 percent from the same time in 1999.

Named to head the firm will be Frank L. Salizzoni, currently CEO, who will become chairman. Mark Ernst, currently president and COO, will become president and chief executive. Bloch will become honorary chairman upon his retirement.

In the past several years, Block has gotten away from its primary brand as a four-month-a-year strip mall tax preparation center into more diversified and expanded services, such as online financial preparation, mortgage services and other areas.