Employers Direct Announces CIO to Speak at IASA 2007 in Minneapolis

Agoura Hills, CA - June 1, 2007 - Employers Direct Insurance Company, California's
only specialty direct writer of workers' compensation insurance, is pleased to announce that Joseph A. Cardenas, Chief Information Officer and Vice President, will speak at the Insurance Accounting and Systems Association's (IASA) Educational Conference & Business Show in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 4, 2007.

The IASA is the insurance industry's largest non-profit, volunteer-driven education association. Through the efforts of volunteers from IASA member companies, the association works to enhance the knowledge of insurance industry professionals by facilitating the exchange of ideas and information. The 2007 Educational Conference will provide the most comprehensive educational program for financial and technology professionals in the insurance and financial services industry. Former Secretary of State and US Army General Colin Powell is scheduled to present the keynote address, and attendees will include CFO's, CIO's, CEO's, COO's, Vice Presidents, Managers, Directors, and Controllers.

Joe Cardenas will present "Legacy Replacement Case Study: Improving Efficiencies throughout the Enterprise" in collaboration with Susan Douglas of Solomark Associates (session leader) and Marcus Ryu of Guidewire Software (panel member). The speakers will highlight their experiences of replacing the legacy claims system from evaluation and decision to production. They will also share lessons learned during the decision process and implementations as well as the efficiency benefits of the new environment.

Joe Cardenas is a computer scientist and systems software specialist who has led information technology for several leading insurance and high-tech corporations. He was part of the early team at Employers Direct at inception and left in April 2005 to join SalesForce as Senior Vice President and CIO. Prior to Employers Direct, Joe served four years as Vice President and CIO of Autodesk, Inc. Joe also served as Senior Vice President of Fremont Compensation Insurance Group from 1986-1992 and from 1996-1998, and was Vice President of Information Technology for Oracle Corporation from 1993-1996. He has also held information technology positions with Transamerica Insurance, NCR, Hyatt Hotels, and Wells Fargo Bank.

About EMPLOYERS DIRECT INSURANCE COMPANY
Employers Direct Insurance Company is California's only specialty direct writer of workers' compensation insurance. 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. Visit Employers Direct online at www.employersdirect.com. 

 
CONTACT:
Employers Direct Insurance Company
Debbie Laskey
Tel: 818.575.2709
dlaskey@employersdirect.com