CEO Mike Sicard Shares USI Energy Team’s Risk Management Expertise at Independent Oil and Gas Association Winter Meeting

VALHALLA, N.Y., Feb. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- USI Insurance Services ("USI") chairman, president and CEO, Michael J. Sicard was a featured speaker at the Independent Oil and Gas Association (IOGA) Winter Meeting in Charleston, West Virginia, on Wednesday, February 3, 2016. West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomlin also spoke during this two day event that included a series of technical sessions and important updates from leading authorities in the oil and gas industry.

Sicard's speech, "The State of the Insurance Market in the Oil and Gas Industry," shared oil and gas risk management insight from the USI Energy Practice that is comprised of a team of oil and gas risk management experts from around the country. Although the challenges that the oil and gas industry are facing are many – decline in oil and natural gas; high unemployment; decline in coal production and revenue; layoffs; overregulation – Sicard's discussion presented smart risk management solutions for upstream energy companies that will help reduce their overall exposures and improve their competitive advantage.

The IOGA West Virginia has partnered with Pete Thackston, USI Huntington account manager, on its employee benefits program for more than 20 years. Jon Hildreth, IOGA West Virginia president, said: "Mike, Pete and the entire USI Energy Practice's depth of knowledge in this industry is only surpassed by their innate ability to address complex issues and then share innovative solutions in practical terms that help protect our energy members, control costs, and better manage risk and benefits in the face of changing regulations in a volatile energy market."

Headed up by Pascal Ray, USI senior vice president and marine and energy practice leader, and Robert Meyers, USI senior vice president of property-casualty, the USI Energy Practice advises clients on a variety of onshore and offshore energy risk exposures and challenges in energy-producing states where USI has a local presence, including Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming.

The Practice will continue to share its expertise on a national level with Ray speaking at two sessions at the 2016 IRMI Energy Risk & Insurance Conference, March 1-3, 2016, in Houston, Texas. The first session, "Energy 101 - A Primer on OEE/COW Exposures and Insurance" is Tuesday, March 1, 1:45pm – 2:35pm, provides an overview of the basics of the control of well insurance and the risks it involves.  The second, "Understanding Maritime Exposures and Insurance" is Thursday, March 3, 12:30pm-1:45pm, and is a breakout session that explores the most significant federal laws that may apply to injured workers and the insurance solutions to address those risks. For more information on this conference, visit www.irmi.com

About USI Insurance Services
USI is a top 10 insurance brokerage and consulting firm, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk and retirement solutions throughout the United States. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI has over $1.0 billion in revenue, more than 4,400 professionals and operates out of nearly 140 local offices serving every state. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage^®, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary analytics, networked resources and enterprise planning to create customized solutions with positive, bottom line impact. The value of USI, and our ability to attract best-in-class industry talent while providing superior solutions and services to our clients and our communities, is achieved through the collaboration and expertise of our local teams. For more information visit usi.biz.

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SOURCE USI Insurance Services