Industry Recognition for CIO of Employers Direct Insurance Company

Business Wire, July 17, 2006

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. -- Employers Direct Insurance Company, California's only investor-owned direct writer of workers' compensation insurance - with no independent agent or broker affiliation - announced that Greg Schueman, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, was named as one of 25 winners of the 2006 CIO Decisions MidMarket Leadership Awards Program. Sponsored by the CIO Decisions Media Group, the program recognized 25 individuals for their extraordinary achievements in resourceful, business-focused use of information technology.

"Greg Schueman has been our champion in recommending and integrating technical advances that have positively impacted our company's growth, and we are extremely proud that he has received this industry recognition," said James E. Little, Chairman/President & CEO of Employers Direct.

Maryfran Johnson, VP and Editorial Director of the CIO Decisions Media Group, explained, "Achieving information technology and business alignment is a leading goal for companies of all sizes, but it is especially important in the midmarket where smart technology choices have such a direct and measurable impact on business success."

Greg Schueman has over 15 years of experience in information technology. Prior to Employers Direct, he held several senior level positions with Mercury Insurance, AIG, Farmers Insurance, Pinkerton's Security, and Price Waterhouse. He received industry recognition in 2003 as Computerworld Premier IT leader and is also copyrighted for a stock market analysis program. He has been a speaker on best practices for information technology and offshore development and is a member of both the ACM and IEEE.

Greg earned an MBA Degree in Finance from Pepperdine University, an MS Degree in Computer Science from Ohio State University, and a BS Degree in Computer Science from William & Mary.

About EMPLOYERS DIRECT INSURANCE COMPANY

Employers Direct Insurance Company is California's only investor-owned direct writer of workers' compensation insurance - with no independent agent or broker affiliation. Founded in 2002, Employers Direct has been widely accepted by business owners throughout California as a result of providing highly competitive rates, claims services designed to fight fraud and abuse, and loss prevention services that assist employers to create safe work environments. As a newer company, Employers Direct is unburdened by legacy systems and takes advantage of the latest technology to provide its customers with 24/7 access to all policy and claims information via a secure Internet portal. Employers Direct is proud that a growing number of California's best-run privately-held companies count themselves as policyholders. Niche industries include hotels, restaurants, golf and country clubs, new car dealers, food processors, manufacturing companies, specialty supermarket chains, and retailers. At the end of 2005, Employers Direct Insurance Company had more than $150 million in written workers' compensation premiums. Visit Employers Direct online at www.employersdirect.com.