J.M.Woodworth

Washington, DC – In a keynote speech to the National Risk Retention Association annual conference, Michael J. Bemi, President/CEO of the National Catholic Risk Retention Group, called for aggressive industry action to advocate legislation that would create a federal mechanism to resolve conflicts between state insurance regulation and the Liability Risk Retention Act that gives Risk Retention Groups authority to operate nationally when licensed in a single state.

Bemi said the current effort to enact federal legislation to provide a dispute resolution mechanism for Risk Retention Groups faced with State obstacles to operations that are clearly authorized under the federal Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 will be a priority for NRRA in 2011. He noted that illegal fees and assessments, unduly restrictive state registration requirements, and coverage interpretations conflict with authority granted to RRGs under federal law.

The Risk Retention Modernization Act (HR 4802) has been introduced in the House. The bill would allow RRGs to write commercial property insurance, create uniform governance standards for RRGs, and give the Treasury Department authority to oversee the RRG sector and resolve interstate disputes regarding RRG operating authority.

Brian Braley, newly elected Chair of NRRA, said NRRA will join with other industry organizations to advocate enactment of HR 4802 in 2011. “The federal dispute resolution mechanism when achieved will transition the Risk Retention industry to a playing field that is more workable and more equitable. A federal statute that promotes one single regulatory framework for RRGs but which has no federal enforcement mechanism is simply legislation that is not finished. We must see this through to a successful conclusion,” he declared. Braley is Vice President-Legislative Affairs for the Housing Authority Risk Retention Group.

For more information, contact Mechlin Moore, NRRA Communications Director (239-777-1595; mmoore7412@aol.com).

Washington, DC – Brian Braley, Vice President-Legislative Affairs of the Housing Authority Risk Retention Group (HARRG), was elected Chairman of the National Risk Retention Association (NRRA) at its annual conference here. Braley succeeds Kim Wynkoop, legal counsel, Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company Risk Retention Group. Sanford “Sandy” Elsass, President/CEO Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation, was elected Vice Chairman.

Risk Retention Groups are authorized by the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 to write liability insurance nationally when licensed in a single state. They have grown into a major sector of the insurance industry with 251 companies that write $2.5 billion premium.

NRRA is the voice of the Risk Retention and Purchasing Group sectors of the insurance industry. It was formed in 1987 and is the only trade association dedicated to the successful development, education, and promotion of alternatives to traditional insurance in the United States. NRRA promotes Risk Retention and Purchasing Groups as practical, economical, efficient and financially sound options for distributing the liability risks of insured members.

For more information, contact Mechlin Moore, NRRA Communications Director (239-777- 1595; mmoore7412@aol.com)

Atlanta, GA - Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation (UUMC), builder and manager of Risk Retention Groups in the healthcare industry, won the Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) award for innovation in the process of customizing the CSC RISKMASTER X policy administration and claims processing software to reduce UUMC operational costs and increase efficiency.

According to the award citation, "Integrating all facets of the business will improve continuity and structure within the organization. UUMC has used the expertise that CSC has earned through its 50 years of industry experience to evaluate its business practices and establish guidelines to ensure that day-today operations are handled consistently and adequately. As a result of this process, UUMC has determined that integrating additional CSC products may be desired to achieve the all-inclusive system that would set UUMC apart from its competitors. A second phase project plan has already been initiated."

The award was presented at CSC's annual Connect Conference held in Kissimmee, Fl. The conference was attended by some 1,500 representatives of companies that do business with CSC.

For more information, contact: Mechlin Moore, MDM Communications (239-777-1595 mmoore7412@aol.com).

Basel, Switzerland - U.S. RE ApS, the European subsidiary of U.S. RE Corporation, international reinsurance brokers, has been selected by Finanstilsynet, the Danish financial Supervisory Authority, to conduct a study of terrorism risk reinsurance capacity in the Danish market, Mark Lucas, Managing Director, announced.

"We're especially pleased to work with the Danish government to determine the private market capacity to reinsure terrorism risk," said Tal P. Piccione, Chairman/CEO of U.S. RE Companies, Inc., parent of U.S. RE Corporation. He pointed out that U.S.RE was retained by the U.S. Treasury Department as a consultant in connection with the Terrorism Risk Reinsurance Program that went into effect in 2002 to protect against acts of terrorism in the United States.

Reinsurers operating in the Danish market are being asked to report the amount of reinsurance capacity they would be willing to commit to the Terrorism Insurance Pool for property insurance covering nuclear, biological, chemical, and radioactive risks to buildings, contents, railroad vehicles, motor and marine hull in Denmark along with loss of profit.

Lucas stated that participating companies will have access to a State reinsurance guarantee limited to DKK 15,000,000,000 annually on a stop loss basis. "The amount, in excess of which the guarantee attaches, is determined annually by the Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs based on recommendations of the Terrorism Insurance Council. This amount will be determined as the point at which the international reinsurance market can no longer provide sufficient reinsurance capacity to cover the NBCR risks," he explained in a letter to reinsurers. The Terrorism Insurance Pool will pay an annual risk premium to the Danish State for having the guarantee available.

Findings of the study are due to Finanstilsynet by October 1, this year. Lucas requested estimates of capacity available from individual companies by September 28.

Company contact: Mark Lucas, Managing Director, U.S. RE ApS, Basel (+41 61 279 92 92; mlucas@usre.com) .

Media contact: Mechlin Moore, MDM Communications (239-777-1595; mmoore7412@aol.com).

Pearl River, NY – Sanford “Sandy” Elsass, President of Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation (UUMC), has been elected a Director of U.S. RE Companies, Inc., an international financial services and reinsurance brokerage firm, Tal P. Piccione, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, announced.

UUMC is a subsidiary of U.S. RE Companies that builds and manages Risk Retention Groups in the healthcare industry. The RRGs provide general and professional liability insurance to long-term care facilities, physicians/surgeons, nurses, other healthcare professionals, and related businesses in 48 states. Elsass joined the U.S. RE Group in 2002. He serves also as a senior officer of U.S. RE.

“Sandy Elsass has built Uni-Ter into a major profit center. His rich experience in brokerage management and investment banking will be invaluable to our Board as U.S. RE grows,” Piccione said.

Elsass has been in the insurance industry and related business for 30 years. He serves currently as a Director of the Nevada Captive Insurance Association, the National Risk Retention Association, and Sunshine State Insurance Company of Florida. Prior to joining U.S. RE, he was an investment banker with Marsh Berry and Company. Earlier, he was President of Montgomery & Collins, a wholesale insurance broker that was sold to Marsh & McLennan. Elsass is a former Director of Wainwright Bank & Trust Company, Boston. He is a graduate of Ohio University.

For more information, contact Mechlin Moore, MDM Communications (239-777-1595; mmoore7412@aol.com).

Washington, DC – Federal legislation to allow Risk Retention Groups (RRG) to write property insurance, state encroachment on RRG authority, and other issues affecting the future of this growing segment of the insurance industry will be debated at the annual conference of the National Risk Retention Association (NRRA) October 5-7 in Washington, DC.

NRRA is the national trade association that represents the interests of Risk Retention Groups – insurance companies authorized by the federal Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 (LRRA) to operate nationally without additional regulation when licensed in a single state.

“Risk Retention Groups are poised for growth with 247 companies that generate more than $2.5 billion in premium. The Conference will provide a forum to debate the issues that threaten to limit their future growth,” said Sanford “Sandy” Elsass, Conference Chairman and President/CEO of Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation.

Therese M. “Terri” Vaughan, CEO of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, will address the conference on regulatory issues from the point of view of state regulatory agencies.

J. Stephen Zielezienski, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the American Insurance Association, will speak to federal initiatives including the Risk Retention Act of 2010 introduced recently by Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.) and referred to the House Financial Services Committee. Among other provisions, the bill would authorize RRGs to write commercial property insurance and direct the Comptroller General to look into whether states are interfering with RRGs authority under the federal LRRA.

Robert H. “Skip” Myers, NRRA General Counsel and partner in the law firm of Morris, Manning, and Martin, who will moderate a panel on Governance Standards, said: “The imposition of filing fees, filing requirements, information requests, waiting periods, and other duties not authorized by the LRRA are a continuing problem for the RRG industry. The LRRA was designed to eliminate excessive state regulatory requirements. Congress’s intent is being thwarted.”

The conference also will feature a panel that compares the financials of RRGs with publicly traded companies. Joseph Petrelli, President of Demotech, Inc., a financial analysis and rating firm, will report on a study that shows the quality of RRG balance sheets compare favorably with publicly traded market share leaders. “Although RRGs are typically smaller, specialty carriers, the relative quality of their balance sheets – the composition of their investments, loss and loss adjustment expenses, reserve integrity, operating results, and quality of reinsurance compare favorably to larger carriers,” according to Petrelli.

The conference will be held at The Ritz Carlton Pentagon City Hotel, Washington, DC. You can view the full conference schedule and register online at www.riskretention.org

Association contact: Jennifer Williamson, President, Jennifer@riskretention.org.

Media contact: Mechlin Moore, MDM Communications, mmoore7412@aol.com.

Pearl River, NY – Anya Kutsina, an actuary with extensive experience in marketing and sales together with financial risk modeling, has been named Managing Director of U.S. RE Analytics, LLC, a subsidiary of U.S. RE Companies, Inc., an international financial services and reinsurance brokerage group, Tal Piccione, Chairman and CEO, announced.

Kutsina has served as Head of Sales and Marketing at Ultimate Risk Solutions, LLC (URS) for the last eight years and will continue in that position. URS is the developer of Risk Explorer™ Dynamic Financial Analysis (DFA) software licensed by insurance and reinsurance companies worldwide.

“We’re pleased to have Anya assume leadership of U.S. RE Analytics, which provides consulting and related services while URS will continue to research, develop, and market financial risk software.” Piccione said.

Among the consulting services provided by U.S. RE Analytics are: development of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and DFA modeling; catastrophic exposure and management analysis; cost efficiency analysis of Alternative Risk Transfer mechanisms; pricing methodology; and risk tolerance quantification.

Kutsina began her insurance career in 1998 as an actuary at Guy Carpenter & Company. Later, she held actuarial positions with Aon Re and Swiss Re in New York. Kutsina also has served as a lecturer in statistics and probability theory at Ramapo College of New Jersey. She holds a Master of Science degree in mathematics and computer science from Kiev Pedagogical University in Ukraine and an MBA in actuarial science and finance from the College of Insurance at St. John’s University.

U. S. RE Analytics is located in Pearl River, NY at the head office of U.S. RE Companies, Inc. The firm has and continues to build its staff in the United States and other countries.

For more information, contact Mechlin Moore, MDM Communications (239-777-1595 / mmoore7412@aol.com.

Washington, DC - The 22nd annual conference of the National Risk Retention Association October 5-7 in Washington will focus on "The Power of Advocacy," Sanford "Sandy" Elsass, Conference Chairman and President/CEO of Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation, announced. The conference will feature experts in the alternative risk transfer sector of the insurance industry along with insurance commissioners, captive managers, and federal officials.

NRRA is the national trade association that represents the interests of Risk Retention Groups - insurance companies authorized by the federal Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 to operate nationally without additional regulation when licensed in a single state. The 247 RRGs active today generated more than $2.5 billion of premiums in 2009.

Michael J. Bemi, CPCU, ARM, President/CEO of National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc., will keynote the conference with a review of how Risk Retention Groups grew into a major segment of the insurance industry in the 25 years since the federal Liability Risk Retention Act was signed into law.

Therese M. "Terri" Vaughn, CEO of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, will address the conference on regulatory issues concerning Risk Retention Groups from the perspective of the NAIC.

"Every RRG president or captive manager should attend this conference to learn the latest developments affecting the industry from efforts to obtain federal approval for RRGs to write property insurance to legislative/regulatory challenges by states seeking greater control," Elsass said. "The conference also will feature practical workshops on management from claims and litigation, to new technology RRGs can use, to the role of reinsurance in growing RRGs," he added.

Senior executives and partners from some of the top firms that work with RRGs will be on the program including: Accounting/Tax/Audit - Johnson Lambert & Company, LLP, auditing/tax compliance/insurance services. Actuarial - Deloitte, LLP, actuarial, financial, advisory, risk management, and tax services; Milliman, Inc., actuarial and consulting services. Rating Agency - Demotech, Inc., rating /financial analysis. Business Services - Computer Sciences Corporation, information technology/outsourcing; Delphi Technology, Inc. - software solutions for the professional liability market; Spinella & Associates, research. Investment Management - Logan Capital Management, Inc. Legal - Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP, insurance litigation; Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, RRGs/insurance/commercial law; Saslow, Lufkin & Buggy, LLP, accounting, tax, and business consulting. Reinsurance - Amlin plc, insurance/reinsurance underwriters; Beazley Group, Lloyds underwriters; BMS Intermediaries, London broker; Besso Re, Ltd., London broker; U.S. RE Corporation, international reinsurance broker.

Conference session topics include: Federal Front; Claims and Litigation; Ongoing Changes to Bad Faith Laws; Rules and Regulators; Implementing Governance Standards, Risk Focused Exams, Model Audit Rule; Trends in Losses, Hard Market Follows Drop in Surplus; How to Prevent Bad Faith Claims; Directors & Officers/Errors & Omissions Insurance; Ask the Commish: NAIC & Federal Issues; Reinsurance for RRGs; Technology-Expert Witnesses; What Keeps RRG CEOs Up at Night-Town Hall Session.

The conference will be held at The Ritz Carlton Pentagon City Hotel, Washington, DC. Attendees can register online at www.riskretention.org.

Association contact: Jennifer Williamson, President, Jennifer@riskretention.org.

Media contact: Mechlin Moore, MDM Communications (239-777-1595; mmoore7412@aol.com.

Atlanta, GA -- Armando L. Vilches, CPCU, a sales executive with 25 years of experience in property/casualty insurance, has joined Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation as Vice President-Marketing, Nadeene Wood-Clater, Senior Vice President-Marketing, announced.

Vilches spent 20 years with the Willis Insurance Group and its subsidiary Stewart Smith where he was named the Company's Most Valuable Producer in 2000. As Nashville Marketing Manager, he led a team that placed $250 million in commercial premium.

"Armando has an outstanding track record marketing and underwriting all lines of liability insurance. He will be a valuable addition to the Uni-Ter team as the Company grows," Wood-Clater said.

Vilches will work in marketing and new business development for Lewis & Clark LTC RRG, Inc., provider of liability insurance to long-term care facilities and nurses nationwide and Ponce de Leon LTC RRG, Inc. that writes liability insurance for long-term care facilities in Florida. He will work also on new business development for J.M. Woodworth Risk Retention Group, Inc., medical malpractice insurance writer in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Vilches is a graduate of DePaul University. He holds the CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) Designation and is a recognized speaker on risk management and liability insurance.

For more information, contact Mechlin Moore, MDM Communications (239-777-1595; mmoore7412@aol.com. Visit our website: www.uni-ter.com.

Atlanta, GA – Christine McCarthy, a claims executive with more than 20 years experience, has been named Vice President-Claims at Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation, Sanford “Sandy” Elsass, President and CEO, announced.

McCarthy joined Uni-Ter from The Doctors Company in Napa, California, where she was Resident Claims Specialist. Earlier, she served for five years as Senior Director-Litigation & Risk Management at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare in Evanston, Illinois. She also held claims management and adjustment positions at ISMIE Mutual, Commercial Union, and Zurich American Insurance Company.

“We welcome Christine to the Uni-Ter team. Her outstanding track record in managing major claims operations in the healthcare field will make an important contribution to our organization,” Elsass said. Uni-Ter manages RRGs that provide liability insurance to long-term care facilities and nurses in 48 states and medical malpractice insurance to physicians/surgeons in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

RRGs are insurance companies owned by policyholders that are authorized under federal law when licensed in a single state to provide liability insurance in other states without additional licensing.

McCarthy holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University and a Master of Business Administration from National Louis University.

For more information, contact Mechlin Moore, MDM Communications (239-777-1595; mmoore7412@aol.com. Visit our website: www.uni-ter.com.

Coming soon...

Atlanta, GA – September 30, 2009 – Susan Bugg has been promoted to Vice President of Risk Management at Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation, Sanford “Sandy” Elsass, President and CEO, announced. Uni-Ter is a builder and administrator of Risk Retention Groups (RRGs) that are active in 48 states.

Bugg joined Uni-Ter last year as Director of Risk Management. She is a Registered Nurse and Certified Legal Nurse Consultant with 23 years experience. Bugg came to Uni-Ter after two years at Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates where she was responsible for coordinating procurement of organ donors, organ placement, and family counseling.

“We’re pleased to promote Susan to our senior management team. She is a seasoned professional who will make an important contribution to Uni-Ter as we grow,” Elsass said. She heads Uni-Ter’s staff of clinical nurses and consultants who provide risk management services to long-term care facilities, surgeons, nurse practitioners, and group practices insured by RRGs that Uni-Ter administers.

Uni-Ter is a subsidiary of U.S. RE Companies, Inc., the New York-based, international financial services and reinsurance brokerage firm.

Bugg’s insurance experience includes four years as a Risk Claims Analyst in the medical malpractice area at St. Paul Fire & Marine/MMI Companies, Inc. Earlier, she served in a wide range of advanced nursing specialties including medical intensive care; coronary care/open heart; surgical intensive care; and nuclear medicine.

She holds Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Health Science degrees from the University of Louisville, Kentucky.

For more information, contact Mechlin Moore, MDM Communications (845-920-7081 mmoore@usre.com).

Coming soon...

ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwire - June 29, 2009) - Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation (UUMC) has just brought a new, state-of-the-art website online, http://www.uni-ter.com/, to introduce the Company's management and creative services to the insurance industry, Sanford "Sandy" Elsass, President/CEO, announced.

Uni-Ter is a managing general underwriter and insurance services firm that builds and manages Risk Retention Groups and other Alternative Risk Transfer insurance mechanisms in the healthcare field. It is a subsidiary of U.S. RE Companies, Inc., the New York-based, international financial services firm.

UUMC manages Risk Retention Groups that provide liability insurance to healthcare facilities in 47 states and medical malpractice insurance to physicians/surgeons in the Northeast and nurses in Florida. The Company underwrites insurance for all forms of long-term care facilities, home healthcare, and surgical centers in addition to medical practitioners.

The website gives visitors access to Uni-Ter's wide range of products and services. The Company creates Risk Retention Groups for clients and provides one-stop management services that include professional underwriting, risk management, and claims handling. Uni-Ter also offers risk management services on a stand-alone basis as a Third Party Administrator.

Company executives are listed along with biographical and contact information. Links are provided on the website to each of the RRGs managed by UUMC. A Resource Center connects viewers to major trade media and provides a Risk Managers' Notebook containing articles by clinical nurses on the Uni-Ter risk management staff. The News Center enables media to get quick answers to any questions regarding the Company along with news releases.

For more information, contact: Mechlin Moore, MDM Communications, 845-920-7081, Email Contact

Atlanta, GA – Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation has formed a partnership with the Strategic Independent Agents Alliance (SIAA) to market liability insurance through SIAA-affiliated agents across the country.

SIAA is the nation’s largest insurance agency alliance, approaching 3,000 independent agency members in the US and Canada. Uni-Ter is a builder and manager of Risk Retention Groups that offer general and professional liability insurance to long-term care and related facilities in 46 states, plus medical malpractice insurance to physicians and surgeons in four northeastern states and nurses in Florida.

"I've known Jim Masiello, CEO of SIAA, for 25 years. He created the alliance and built it into an organization that generates over $5 billion in premium. We're proud to offer SIAA agents a new, stable liability insurance market in the volatile long-term care and medical malpractice lines. We look to an ongoing, growing relationship with SIAA as Uni-Ter expands into home healthcare, surgical centers, and other healthcare sectors," said Sanford "Sandy" Elsass, President and CEO of Uni-Ter.

"Uni-ter and the Risk Retention Groups they manage are the leading edge of risk management options for the long-term care facilities and healthcare providers" said Bill Fahy, Executive Vice President of SIAA. "Our members now have the ability to expand their insurance and risk management practices into a new and dynamic marketplace."

The partnership will give SIAA agents preferred, and in some cases, exclusive access to healthcare liability products offered by Risk Retention Groups that Uni-Ter manages. The Uni-Ter Group operates Lewis and Clark LTC RRG, Inc. that writes liability insurance for long-term care facilities in 46 states; Ponce de Leon LTC RRG, Inc., writer of long-term care facilities in Florida; J.M. Woodworth RRG, Inc., writer of medical malpractice insurance in four northeastern states; and Sophia Palmer Nurses RRG, Inc. in Florida.

Uni-Ter is a subsidiary of U.S. RE Companies, Inc., a New York-based, international financial services firm with interests in reinsurance brokerage, consulting, underwriting, investment banking, program business, and alternative risk transfer mechanisms.

Media contact: Mechlin Moore, MDM Communications (845-920-7081 mmoore@usre.com); SIAA contact: Bill Fahy, SIAA Executive VP (315-337-0189 billf@siaa.net ); Uni-Ter contact: Nadeene Wood-Clater, SVP-Marketing (678-781-2435 nwoodclater@uni-ter.com ).

Atlanta, GA -- Kristine M. Schiff has joined Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation as Marketing Representative, Nadeene Wood-Clater, Senior Vice President-Marketing, announced. Uni-Ter is a leading builder and manager of Risk Retention Groups in the healthcare industry.

The Company manages Ponce de Leon LTC RRG, Inc. and Lewis & Clark LTC RRG, Inc., providers of liability insurance to long-term care facilities in Florida and 46 other states; Sophia Palmer Nurses RRG, Inc.; and J.M. Woodworth RRG, Inc., medical malpractice insurers serving nurses in Florida and physicians in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Schiff came to Uni-Ter from RXPERTS Pharmacy Services, Inc., Hollywood, Florida where she was responsible for marketing pharmacy services to skilled nursing, assisted living, and other long-term care facilities. Earlier, she served for 12 years as Business Development Manager at Metagenics Midwest, Inc., Bloomington, Illinois, where she was responsible for providing nutraceutical product solutions to physicians in a six-state territory.

"We’re pleased to have Kristine Schiff join the Uni-Ter team. She will work with agents and brokers throughout Florida in marketing Ponce de Leon and Sophia Palmer to long-term care facilities and nurses. Her extensive experience in the Florida healthcare industry will be invaluable, Wood-Clater said."

Schiff has been active in the Florida Healthcare Association. She holds a Certificate of Mediation from Nova Southeastern University.

Uni-Ter is a subsidiary of U.S. RE Companies, Inc., an international financial services firm with interests in reinsurance brokerage, consulting, underwriting, Captive and Risk Retention Group management.

For more information, contact Mechlin Moore, MDM Communications (mmoore@usre.com ; 845-920-7081).

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - September 8, 2008) - Sanford "Sandy" Elsass, President/CEO of Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation, builder and manager of Risk Retention Groups in the healthcare industry, has been elected a Director of the National Risk Retention Association (NRRA).

NRRA is the professional association dedicated to the successful development, education, and promotion of alternatives to traditional liability insurance domiciled in the United States, including Risk Retention and Purchasing Groups. NRRA promotes group insurance programs authorized by the Federal Risk Retention Act as practical, economical, efficient, and financially sound options for distributing the liability risks of member insurers. NRRA fulfills its mission through education, communication, government relations, and advocacy.

Elsass organized and manages Florida's Ponce de Leon LTC RRG, Inc., the first Risk Retention Group in the nation to insure long-term care facilities. Launched in 2003, Ponce has grown into a market leader in Florida with more than 750 facilities insured. Uni-Ter also formed and manages Lewis & Clark LTC RRG, Inc. with operations in 46 states; J. M. Woodworth Risk Retention Group, provider of medical malpractice insurance to physicians/surgeons in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey; and Sophia Palmer Nurses Risk Retention Group, Inc. that insures nurses in Florida.

Over the past 30 years, Elsass has held senior positions in insurance and investment banking. He is a Director and shareholder of Sunshine State Insurance Company, St. Augustine, Florida, a senior officer of U.S. RE Companies, Inc., Pearl River, New York, the parent of Uni-Ter, and a former Director of Wainwright Bank and Trust Company, Boston.

PEARL RIVER, NY--(Marketwire - September 30, 2008) - J. M. Woodworth RRG, Inc. (JMW), the Risk Retention Group launched two years ago to provide medical malpractice insurance to physicians and surgeons in New York State, now has capital and surplus of more than $5 million, Sanford Elsass, President/CEO-Underwriting Manager, announced.

"With more than 300 insured doctors and a solid capital base, Woodworth has established a strong presence in New York as a financially secure alternative to the prohibitively priced coverage offered by the failing major carriers," Elsass said. The Company also recently opened for business in nearby Connecticut, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.

"Woodworth also is being accepted by a growing number of hospitals and medical centers as an approved carrier for physicians and surgeons practicing at their institutions," Elsass reported. "More and more hospitals are realizing that Woodworth's comprehensive coverage and professional risk management services, along with attention to the detailed needs of hospitals and doctors, provide the secure protection the institutions want at an affordable cost to the doctors."

In considering risk retention groups as acceptable liability insurers, many hospitals consider $5 million in capital/surplus as a benchmark for financial security. Woodworth carries a Financial Stability Rating of "A Exceptional" by Demotech, Inc., a leading rating agency. JMW policies are reinsured by companies with "A" ratings from A.M. Best. The Company's investment strategy is conservative with all assets held in cash or invested in AAA-rated, investment-grade bonds and U.S. government obligations.

PEARL RIVER, NY--(Marketwire - February 10, 2009) - Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the insurance and financial services firm, U.S. RE Companies, Inc., has promoted key executives as part of a strategic plan to support future growth, Sanford "Sandy" Elsass, President and CEO, announced today.

Uni-Ter builds and manages Risk Retention Groups that provide General and Professional Liability Insurance to long-term care facilities in 46 states and Medical Malpractice insurance to physicians/surgeons in four northeastern states and nurses in Florida. "We are providing the administrative structure to sustain our growing volume and support new business that is in the pipeline," Elsass said.

Donna Dalton, Chief Financial Officer, was named Chief Operating Officer. She will retain her position as CFO and take on administrative responsibility for the Company's operating functions. Elsass will continue as Uni-Ter CEO but will be free to spend more time on his responsibilities in the agency arena.

Jan Ferguson, Senior Vice President, will have primary responsibility for marketing, claims, and risk management at J. M. Woodworth RRG, Inc., the medical malpractice writer in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. She reports directly to Elsass.

Dwain Chamberlain, Senior Underwriter was named Vice President-Underwriting with direct responsibility for Ponce de Leon LTC RRG, Inc. and Lewis & Clark LTC RRG, Inc., writers of liability insurance for long-term care facilities, and Sophia Palmer Nurses RRG, Inc.

Tonya Dugan, Senior Underwriter was promoted to Vice President-Underwriting for Medical Malpractice. Katrina Johnson was promoted to Controller.

Nadeene Wood-Clater continues as Senior Vice President-Marketing and Jeri Lambert as Senior Vice President-Compliance/Claims. Susan Bugg continues as Director of Risk Management for long-term care facilities and nurses RRGs. Sharon Lanier continues as Director of Underwriting for Ponce de Leon LTC RRG, Inc. and Lynda Knowles as Director of Underwriting for Sophia Palmer Nurses RRG, Inc., both reporting to Chamberlain.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - June 30, 2008) - Florida faces a crisis in meeting the demand for aging services over the next 22 years as the population aged 85 and older is forecast to grow by 126 percent. This will require 15,000 more skilled nursing beds at a time when there is expected to be a severe shortage of nurses, according to a just-published study of the State's future aging service needs.

The demographic and workforce study, "Mapping the Future -- Estimating Florida Aging Services Needs 2008 to 2030" analyzes aging care demand, care-giver availability, and senior living environments. It was conducted by the research, consulting, and accounting firm, LarsonAllen, for Ponce de Leon LTC RRG, Inc., a major provider of General and Professional Liability insurance to long-term care facilities in Florida.

"The challenges facing the State of Florida in planning and providing for the needs of those aged 65 and older are daunting," said Nancy Rehkamp, Principal in LarsonAllen. "Florida must grapple with these changes sooner and with greater speed at a time when the economic outlook is less optimistic," she cautioned.

"As the number of seniors choosing home healthcare or assisted living grows, skilled nursing facilities will experience shorter stays and be exposed to more risks that require liability coverage," said Sanford "Sandy" Elsass, President-Underwriting Manager, Ponce de Leon Risk Retention Group, the study sponsor. "Risk Retention Groups owned by facilities and professional healthcare workers, will provide a stable market to fill this need," he stated.

A number of critical factors that will challenge providers of long-term care were identified in the study:

-- Despite the growing aging population, hospital use rates will continue to decline with a resulting decrease in demand for post-hospitalization skilled nursing, home care, and hospice services.

-- Reduced hospital use rates will be offset by aging population growth resulting in the need for some 15,000 more nursing home beds over the next 22 years. Competition from other lifestyle choices will result in shorter nursing home stays that will focus more on post-acute recovery and rehabilitation instead of long-term care.

-- Availability of home-care givers, including family and other informal providers, is expected to decline 41 percent by 2030, leaving 420,000 more seniors 85 years and older at risk of requiring assisted living or other formal services.

-- Growth in home and community-based services is expected to escalate as more seniors opt to remain in their own homes or choose assisted living facilities instead of skilled nursing.

-- A growing shortage of healthcare workers threatens to reduce the quality of care available to meet demand from the rapidly mounting aging population. By 2030, the study predicts an eight percent shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs). As of June, 2007, 43 percent of licensed RNs were over 50 years old, and 15 percent were over 60 years old.

-- Rising demand and the shortage of healthcare workers are expected to contribute to the looming crisis in aging care. Demand for RNs and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) is expected to grow by 30,000 full time equivalents (FTEs) over the next 22 years. Demand for nursing assistants, home health aides, and personal-care attendants is expected to grow by 122,000 FTEs.

-- The predicted shortage in nurses may mean that more care will have to be provided in institutional settings where the limited number of trained staff can be deployed more efficiently. This may limit customer choice and reduce timely access to professional services.

-- Over the next 22 years, the study predicts a need for nearly 160,000 new assisted living units, as 60 percent of residents who would have chosen nursing homes can be served in assisted living facilities.

-- Demand for independent living facilities is expected to grow sharply, creating a need for an additional 260,000 units, as seniors live longer, healthier lives.

-- Skilled home care services funded by Medicare, Medicaid, and other governmental sources are expected to more than double by 2030.

-- Dramatic growth in home care and assisted living, as a substitute for care in skilled nursing facilities, may increase professional and general liability risks that will create a need for increased liability insurance in an uncertain market.

PEARL RIVER, NY--(Marketwire - June 30, 2008) - Jan Ferguson, an attorney with extensive experience in medical malpractice and healthcare issues, has been appointed Senior Vice President of The Uni-Ter Group, Sanford "Sandy" Elsass, President/CEO, announced.

Uni-Ter is a leading builder and manager of Risk Retention Groups in the healthcare industry, having founded Florida's Ponce de Leon LTC RRG, Inc., the first in the nation to insure long-term care facilities.

The Company also created and administers Lewis & Clark LTC RRG, Inc., currently operating in 46 states; J. M. Woodworth RRG, Inc., a writer of medical practice insurance for physicians/surgeons in four Northeastern States; and Sophia Palmer Nurses RRG, which writes malpractice insurance for nurses in Florida. Uni-Ter is a subsidiary of U.S. RE Companies, Inc., a New York-based international financial services firm.

Ferguson comes to Uni-Ter from American Physicians Insurance Company (API), Austin, TX, where she served as Director of Risk Management and was responsible for launching the API Risk Management Institute that offers a variety of professional services and resources to healthcare providers.

"Jan Ferguson brings a wealth of legal, risk management, and healthcare experience to Uni-Ter," Elsass said. "As a member of our senior management team, she will contribute significantly to corporate development." Uni-Ter has additional RRGs in the pipeline and continues to explore growth opportunities.

Ferguson's previous experience includes seven years in the Office of the General Counsel for the University of Texas System where she managed the self-insurance plan for 6,000 physicians employed by the University System; and seven years as General Counsel for the Texas Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association. Earlier, she was in private practice as a trial attorney experienced in personal injury, insurance defense, and medical liability litigation.

Ferguson holds a B.S. degree from Central Missouri State University and a law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law. She is a member of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management.

For more information, contact Mechlin Moore, MDM Communications (239-777-1595 mmoore7412@aol.com).

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ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwire - July 24, 2008) - Agents of financially stable insurers that are low-rated or not rated by A. M. Best Company will have access for the first time to legal defense coverage provided by companies that obtain Insolvency Gap Insurance available through Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation, the managing general agency.

This newly introduced policy, known officially as "Insurance Agent's Errors and Omissions Insurer Insolvency Gap Defense Costs Insurance," permits a designated insurance company to cover each of its duly appointed and licensed agents by purchasing a single policy that provides legal defense coverage in the unlikely event that the designated carrier is liquidated.

The first and second policies were issued recently to Ponce de Leon LTC RRG, Inc. and Lewis & Clark LTC RRG, Inc., writers of General and Professional Liability insurance for long-term care facilities in Florida and 46 other states. Ponce de Leon and Lewis & Clark carry Financial Stability Ratings® of "A Exceptional" from Demotech, Inc., the financial analysis and actuarial services firm, but have not been in business long enough to apply for Best ratings.

The policies are issued by Century Surety Company, Columbus, OH. Demotech, Inc., Columbus, OH, provides the underwriting through a process that includes financial analysis to qualify companies, cost of coverage, and on-going monitoring of insured companies' financial stability. U. S. RE Corporation, Pearl River, NY, is the retail broker.

"Most insurance agents' Errors & Omissions insurers exclude insurance company insolvency exposure. Plugging the insolvency coverage gap for a targeted group of financially stable, insurers and their producers levels the playing field," said Joseph Petrelli, President/CEO of Demotech.

Sanford Elsass, President/CEO, Underwriting Manager, Ponce de Leon and Lewis & Clark, said his companies are pleased to provide agents with this added protection not available from the standard E & O markets.

ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwire - May 20, 2008) - Susan Bugg, RN, BSN, has been appointed Director of Risk Management for Risk Retention Groups (RRG) managed by Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation, Sanford Elsass, President and CEO, announced.

"Susan Bugg brings to our RRGs 22 years of practice as a nurse along with specialized experience in claims, risk analysis, medical malpractice, and nuclear medicine technology," Elsass said. "Her diverse skills and leadership background will help build a stronger risk management program as we create new Risk Retention Groups to serve additional sectors of the healthcare industry."

Uni-Ter formed Florida's Ponce de Leon LTC RRG, Inc., the first Risk Retention Group to provide General and Professional Liability insurance to long-term care facilities. The Company later created Lewis & Clark LTC, RRG, Inc. that provides liability coverage to facilities in 46 states, J.M. Woodworth Risk Retention Group that provides Medical Malpractice insurance to physicians / surgeons in New York State, and Sophia Palmer Nurses Risk Retention Group to cover nurses in Florida.

Prior to joining The Uni-Ter Group, Bugg was Hospital Services Coordinator of Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) in Louisville. In that capacity, she was responsible for procurement of organs for transplanting, medical education, and research. Earlier, she conducted independent medical malpractice reviews. Her insurance experience included four years with St. Paul Fire & Marine/MMI Companies, Inc. as a Risk Claims Analyst. As a nurse, she worked in medical intensive care, coronary/open heart, surgical, and post-anesthesia care. She began her career as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist.

Bugg holds Bachelor of Science Degrees in Nursing and Health Science from the University of Louisville, Louisville, KY. She is a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant.

For more information, contact Mechlin Moore, MDM Communications (239-777-1595; mmoore7412@aol.com), and visit our web sites at www.poncedeleonrrg.com, www.lewisandclarkrrg.com, www.jmwoodworthrrg.com, and www.spnrrg.com.