Bickmore Risk Services & Consulting Collaborating With the Public Entity Risk Institute

Business Wire, June 2, 2008

Collaboration Includes Metrics-Driven Workshops Nationwide

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Bickmore Risk Services & Consulting (BRS), one of the largest and fastest growing independent risk management consulting firms in the US, announced today it is collaborating with the Public Entity Risk Institute (PERI), a leading nonprofit research institute focused on risk management training and education, to provide enhanced best practice services to public entities based on their respective missions. This collaboration reflects the well-earned reputation of both organizations to analyze and interpret industry trends, as well as transfer knowledge and frontline, real-world experience to risk management professionals.

PERI and BRS will begin their collaborative efforts by hosting a two-day, metrics-driven workshop on November 6-7, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Titled Mission Possible: Reduce Costs and Improve Operational Efficiency, the workshop will focus on risk management performance measurements and benchmarking, and be taught by experienced and credentialed instructors using a hands-on approach tailored to the needs of those attending. Emphasis will be on group discussion, activities, and case studies. Similar PERI/BRS workshops will be offered across the US in 2009.

"Bickmore has long been a leader in public sector risk analysis and we look forward to working together to identify useful metrics and produce meaningful documentation to support our efforts in the public sector," said Gerard Hoetmer, Executive Director of PERI.

"Bickmore Risk Services & Consulting (BRS) is honored to be a best practice resource for PERI," said John Chaquica, Chief Executive Officer, BRS. "Both of our organizations share an ongoing commitment to provide public entities relevant and high-quality enterprise risk management information, training, data, and benchmarking."

Additional information about the Mission Possible: Reduce Costs and Improve Operational Efficiency workshop can be found on the PERI website at www.riskinstitute.org and on the BRS website at www.bickmoreriskservices.com.

About Public Entity Risk Institute

The Public Entity Risk Institute (PERI) is a nonprofit research institute that develops risk management education and training resources for local governments, school districts, small businesses, nonprofits and others. PERI's website serves as a clearinghouse and library with information on a wide range of topics including disaster preparedness, response, and recovery; public health and safety; land use and planning; environmental liability; risk financing and insurance; technology risks; and workers' compensation. PERI also operates a national performance measurement and benchmarking database known as the PERI Data Exchange, which allows local governments to compare liability and workers' compensation data with their peers and identify strategies to reduce losses and control costs. To learn more about publications and services available from PERI, go to www.riskinstitute.org.

About Bickmore Risk Services & Consulting

BRS is the largest, independent non-brokerage affiliated risk management consulting firm in the western United States, and the second largest in the nation. BRS clients include both public and private entities nationwide. The firm offers risk management consulting, group formation and administration, actuarial, risk control, claims oversight and employment practices services. BRS is staffed with more than 120 professional and support staff, including credentialed safety professionals, experienced pool administration managers, CPAs, attorneys, actuaries, and certified workers' compensation professionals. Its corporate headquarters is located in Sacramento, California. The firm has offices in Long Beach, California; Portland, Oregon; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Tampa, Florida; and Albany, New York. For more information, please visit www.bickmoreriskservices.com.