Beecher Carlson Acquires Alliance Insurance Group

PRESS RELEASE

January 8, 2008

Acquisition Significantly Strengthens Beecher Carlson's Commitment to Growing Southwest Region and Aligns with Specialization Strategy

ATLANTA, GA & PHOENIX, AZ - (January 8, 2008) - Beecher Carlson, the fastest growing commercial insurance brokerage in the country, announced today the acquisition of Alliance Insurance Group. The acquisition supports Beecher Carlson's plan to partner with firms where there is strategic alignment in specialization and expansion of geographic reach in high-growth areas of the country. Alliance Insurance Group's long-term presence in the Southwest region and their commitment to delivering highly specialized products and services aligns with Beecher Carlson's industry and product resource model.

The transaction allows Alliance Insurance Group to leverage the national resources and technical expertise of Beecher Carlson. The specific financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Alliance Insurance Group is led by Guy Labelle, one of the original founders and current Chairman of the company, and Frank Beranek, President and Chief Operating Officer. Beranek will remain with the firm and continue to conduct business as Alliance Insurance Group from its existing Phoenix location. Labelle will serve as a consultant for the Company until retirement.

Alliance Insurance Group was formed in 1976 with a business strategy focused on market specialization to serve the personal and commercial consumer insurance market more efficiently and effectively. The firm is comprised of Alliance Insurance Brokers, Spectrum Wholesale Insurance Services and AI Program Managers, Inc. (formerly Maui Insurance). Specifically, the Company produces and serves as the MGA for a manufactured home park program that has captured 15% market share. Alliance Insurance Group also provides specialized programs for apartment owners, real estate developers and property managers, shopping centers, commercial transportation and other coverage lines. Over its 30-year span, the Company has grown significantly due to its unwavering commitment on specialization and firm focus on client satisfaction.

Beranek has more than 40 years of experience in the execution of increasingly complex disciplines within the insurance industry that include underwriting, product development, strategic planning, marketing, sales, and retail and wholesale distribution. Beranek retired from AON in 2004 after spending 32 years with the Company. He is highly experienced in Managing General Agencies (MGAs) and has 30 years experience trading in the London market.

"We look forward to continued growth by leveraging the national resources, technical expertise and industry specialization of Beecher Carlson," said Labelle. "Alignment with Beecher Carlson will allow us to deliver to our clients a greater array of solutions, like wrap-ups, captives and other alternative risk transfer solutions where Beecher Carlson has proven expertise and demonstrated success," said Beranek.

"We are confident that Alliance's clients will find the expanded insurance and risk management resources they need at Beecher Carlson, while still maintaining the long-term personal relationships built by the Alliance team," said Tom Golub, president and chief executive officer at Beecher Carlson. "The technical capabilities and teamwork mentality of Alliance is an excellent fit with our capabilities and revolutionary approach. This acquisition is perfectly aligned with our plan of building our company with strategic partnerships, always placing the interests of our clients first."

About Alliance Insurance Group

Alliance Insurance Group is an independent insurance agency focused on the design and development of specialized programs and products. Built on a tradition of leadership and quality service, Alliance Insurance Group is recognized for its expertise in delivering specialized underwriting and retail solutions.

About Beecher Carlson

Beecher Carlson is the fastest growing commercial insurance brokerage in the country with 113 percent compounded annual growth over the past three years. The Company is ranked as the 44th largest broker in the United States and the 7th largest captive manager worldwide. Unique to Beecher Carlson is its laser focus on specialized industries that include healthcare, lodging, gaming, real estate and construction, energy, business services, retail, manufacturing and telecommunications. A privately held company with corporate offices in Atlanta, Beecher Carlson also maintains operations in Bermuda; Boston; Irvine, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Walnut Creek and Woodland Hills, California; Connecticut; Denver; Florida; Honolulu; Houston; Eugene, Portland and Medford, Oregon; Gulfport, Mississippi; Minnesota; Las Vegas and Phoenix, Nevada; New Jersey, New York; Nashville; Providence, Rhode Island and Burlington, Vermont. For more information, call 800-657-0243 or visit www.beechercarlson.com.

Beecher Carlson
Tracy H. McAllister, 404-460-1427
VP, Marketing & Public Relations
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it