March 1, 2002

For Immediate Release

Chris Veber, an investment-banking executive with 7 years of client advisory, financial analysis, and private equity investing experience, has joined Equity Risk Partners, Inc. as Director - Business Development and Client Service.

"The addition of Chris Veber to the Equity Risk Partners team serves as a further demonstration of our commitment to, and specific focus on, the needs of the private equity industry," comments Michael C. Marcon, President of Equity Risk Partners. "Chris's investment banking background gives our firm a unique resource to better understand the special requirements of our clients and their highly complex financial transactions."

Mr. Veber will be based in Chicago, IL and will oversee Equity Risk Partners' business development and client service operations in the Midwest.

"Equity Risk Partners is excited about the establishment of a presence in the Midwest region - a region we feel has strong private equity opportunities and, at the same time, is underserved by the insurance and risk management community," said Mr. Marcon. "We sought out Chris specifically because of his strong ties to the private equity community in Chicago and the surrounding region."

Prior to joining Equity Risk Partners, Mr. Veber held positions of increasing responsibility at Nike, Veber Partners, LLC, a Portland, OR investment bank and, most recently, at McDonald Investments, Inc. in Chicago.

A graduate of the University of Michigan (BA - Economics) and a member of the 1995 NCAA Champion swim team, Chris resides with his wife in Wilmette, IL.

Equity Risk Partners, Inc., based in Walnut Creek, CA with offices in New York and Chicago, is the first full-service insurance brokerage and risk management consulting firm focused exclusively on the needs of the private equity community and its portfolio companies.