Thursday, July 19, 2007


OMAHA, Neb., Jul. 19, 2007 (PR Newswire delivered by Newstex) -- A national insurance company with deep roots in Arkansas is celebrating 10 years of business in the state with some big checks and big thanks for the independent agencies and policyholders that helped make it one of America's fastest-growing companies.

FirstComp, a leader in providing access to workers' compensation insurance nationwide, is paying homage to the state where it all started by donating $80,000 to community organizations to recognize three Arkansas agencies and one small-business owner that have partnered 10 years with FirstComp.

The gifts will be distributed at a 10-Year Recognition Ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 26 at the Hampton Inn in Russellville. As 10-year partners of FirstComp, Ragsdale Insurance (Russellville), Buffalo Insurance (Cabot) and Campbell & Company Insurance (Morrilton) will receive $10,000 each for their chosen charities. Barnes Heat and Air Repair Inc. (Russellville) will receive $10,000 for the owner's chosen charity and $10,000 for owner Emmitt Barnes of Russellville.

FirstComp also plans to contribute $10,000 each to the Children's Hospital of Little Rock (the favorite charity of the late David Glover, FirstComp's first sales representative in the state), the Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas (Big I) and the Professional Insurance Agents of Arkansas (PIA).

'We want to express our gratitude to the independent agents, small-business owners and Arkansas communities who have partnered with us from the beginning,' said FirstComp CEO and President Luke Yeransian. 'Arkansas was the first state we entered to do business, and we have built many meaningful partnerships all across the state.'

Since the company's entry into Arkansas in 1997, company founders can list at least 20 other workers' compensation carriers that have exited the state. FirstComp, meanwhile, has become one of the largest workers' compensation carriers in Arkansas -- all with a focus on serving smaller independent agencies that write small accounts in small towns.

FirstComp has written a total of $74.8 million of premium in Arkansas over the 10-year period, and currently provides coverage for 5,038 businesses -- greater than 10% of the state's market. Along with national awards for its rapid growth, FirstComp swept the awards from the state's insurance associations in 2007, being named Carrier of the Year by both the Big I and PIA in Arkansas.

'Our 10-year commitment shows we are true to our word,' Yeransian said. 'We promised agents we would be a long-term market for them. Now 10 years later, we are proud to be an Arkansas institution, always there to serve the small employer and his agent.'

About FirstComp:

Listed four consecutive years on the Inc. 500 ranking of fastest-growing companies in the U.S., FirstComp provides access to workers' compensation for more than 70,000 'Main Street' businesses in 26 states nationwide. Started in 1997 with three employees, FirstComp now employs more than 500 people with headquarters in Omaha, NE, and regional offices in Providence, R.I., and Henderson, NV. Visit  http://www.firstcomp.com for more information.

SOURCE FirstComp



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