Press Release

CFMA Endorses Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS™) Designation and Continuing Education Program

Dallas, TX, September 6, 2006—International Risk Management Institute, Inc. (IRMI), is pleased to announce the endorsement of the Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS™) designation and continuing education program by the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA). This online continuing education program provides practical knowledge of risk management and property casualty insurance. CFMA will now offer the CRIS program to its general and associate members at a ten (10) percent discount off the already low prices for the courses.

"Since financial managers are frequently responsible for the risk management or insurance purchasing function at construction companies, the CRIS program is very relevant for CFMA members. We are genuinely pleased to add this important training program to our educational offerings," said CFMA’s Chief Operating Officer, Brian Summers.

IRMI President Jack Gibson remarked, "Contractors who control their insurance costs enjoy a competitive advantage, and we designed the CRIS program to give construction professionals, such as CFMA’s members, knowledge to assure they are using best practices to achieve this advantage. Thus, this is a natural area to expand an already successful relationship between our two organizations."

The CRIS program was developed by IRMI to make it much easier for construction company insurance buyers, risk managers, and the insurance professionals who serve them to gain specialized expertise in construction insurance and risk management. Completing CRIS courses qualifies for insurance continuing education credit in 49 states, and the CRIS program is now being considered for CPE (accounting) credit as well. Since its launch in March 2005, nearly 500 professionals have earned the CRIS designation. More details about the CRIS program are available.

CFMA is also a longtime endorser of the IRMI Construction Risk Conference, the annual symposium where contractors, owners, and insurance professionals learn and exchange risk management strategies.