Equity Risk Partners, a full-service insurance brokerage, employee benefits and risk management consulting firm, is preparing for its next stage of growth by naming two renowned industry leaders to the firm's Board of Directors. The additions of Dick Riley and Jim Quinn to the company's Board, joining Founder and CEO Michael Marcon and Otter Capital Managing Member John Pasquesi, further enhances Equity Risk Partners' experience and expertise across both the insurance and private equity markets.

"We are extremely fortunate to have professionals of this caliber join our Board of Directors," said Michael Marcon, CEO, Equity Risk Partners. "Their combined leadership experience, industry knowledge and impressive records of accomplishments will prove to be vital as we continue to create value. I welcome them to our team and look forward to the contributions they can offer Equity Risk Partners as we continue to grow our presence worldwide."

Equity Risk Partners' board members now include:

Dick Riley, CPCU, ARM, from Georgetown, S.C., is President of ALTA Advisors, LLC, which provides professional and consulting services to, and invests in, insurance distribution businesses. Previously, Mr. Riley was the Chairman and CEO of WNC Insurance Services, a specialty wholesale operation with an emphasis on providing catastrophe insurance products to financial institutions and to agents and brokers for their clients. He was also President and then Chairman and CEO of Aon Risk Services and then Vice-Chairman of Aon Group. Prior to joining Aon, Mr. Riley held numerous senior management positions with Corroon & Black Corp., now Willis. He received his B.A. in history and political science from Boston University.

Jim Quinn, from Pound Ridge, N.Y., is the founder of Element Private Equity, a private equity investment and consulting firm that provides intellectual and capital support to growing companies in the financial services sector. Previously, Mr. Quinn was a partner with Olympus Partners, a private equity investment firm based in Stamford, CT. While with Olympus, Mr. Quinn was an investor and Board member of several successful insurance underwriting and distribution companies, including Talbot Holdings, Ariel Re, and Tanenbaum-Harber. He also worked at Goldman Sachs in Mergers and Acquisitions. He received his B.A. in economics from Georgetown University and his M.B.A. from Stanford University.

John Pasquesi, from Woodside, Calif., is the founder of Otter Capital, which specializes in private equity investments. Prior to founding Otter Capital in 2001, Mr. Pasquesi was a Managing Director and member of the Executive Committee of Hellman & Friedman, a private equity investment firm. Prior to joining Hellman & Friedman in 1987, Mr. Pasquesi was associated with Golder, Thoma & Cressey, a Chicago based private equity firm. Mr. Pasquesi serves as Vice Chairman and a Director of Arch Capital Group Limited. He received his B.A. in religion from Dartmouth College and his M.B.A. from Stanford University.

Michael Marcon, from Alamo, Calif., is the founder and CEO of Equity Risk Partners. Prior to founding Equity Risk Partners, Mr. Marcon served as the Executive Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions Group for Aon Risk Services where he was instrumental in creating the Private Equity practice for Aon's predecessor company, Rollins Hudig Hall. He also served as regional manager of finance for Transamerica Corporation, as well as positions in Special Risk Financial and Capital Management for CIGNA Corporation. He received his B.A. in economics from Ursinus College where he is Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and his M.B.A. in finance from Drexel University.

About Equity Risk Partners

Equity Risk Partners is a full-service insurance brokerage, employee benefits and risk management consulting firm. In addition to a suite of services for a variety of insurance lines, Equity Risk provides specialized products and services to private equity firms, alternative asset managers, family offices, hedge funds, and their portfolio companies. Founded in 2001, the company is dedicated to improving the efficiency, structure and return of private equity transactions through consistent and timely due diligence. Combining extensive industry experience with a dedication to excellence, they deliver creative, cost-effective insurance solutions, as well as innovative product and financing alternatives. Headquartered in San Francisco, Equity Risk Partners has a nationwide presence with additional offices in Chicago and New York. For more information, please visit www.EquityRisk.com.

Wonacott Communications, LLC
Sarah Olko/Melissa Chan
(310) 985-2184 / (310) 477-2871, Ext. 673
solko@wonacottpr.com / mchan@wonacottpr.com