BUSINESS MEMO: BLOCH RETIRING

Henry W. Bloch, a co-founder of tax preparation giant H&R Block Inc., will retire in September as chairman of the board of the directors, the company announced last week.

President and chief executive officer Frank L. Salizzoni, 61, will succeed Bloch, 77, beginning Sept. 13, when the company holds its annual meeting. Mark A. Ernst, 41, will succeed Salizzoni as CEO beginning Dec. 31.

Bloch will continue to serve as honorary chairman of the board and will maintain an office with the company.

In a prepared statement, Bloch said, "Although I never expected the company to grow like it has, I certainly look forward to following its ongoing success from my new perspective."

H&R Block, headquartered in Kansas City, is North America's leading tax preparation company, with 1999 net income of $215.4 million on sales of $1.52 billion.