AMERISAFE CEO Allen Bradley Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2011 Gulf Coast Area Award Finalist

DERIDDER, La., May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AMERISAFE, Inc. today announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Allen Bradley is an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2011 Gulf Coast Area Award finalist. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.  Mr. Bradley was selected as a finalist from nearly 50 nominations by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at the Houston Intercontinental Hotel.

Mr. Austin Young, Chairman of AMERISAFE's audit committee, stated that "Mr. Bradley has demonstrated exceptional leadership at AMERISAFE over many years.  Since our IPO in November 2005, I've had the great pleasure of working with him.  Recognition as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Gulf Coast Area Award Finalist underscores what the AMERISAFE board, officers, employees, customers and vendors have known for a long time, namely that he is that rare breed of entrepreneur that achieves great things through careful management, outstanding interpersonal skills and exceptional vision.  I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we are extremely proud of Allen and pleased to see him recognized by others in this way."

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 140 cities and more than 50 countries throughout the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Award. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year overall National Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 12, 2011. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies, which will be held November 9-13, 2011.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as a national sponsor.

In the Gulf Coast Area, sponsors include Fullbright & Jaworski L.L.P., Lockton Companies, SAP, SolomonEdwardsGroup LLC, HFBE, Smart Business Magazine and Pierpont Communications.

About AMERISAFE

AMERISAFE, Inc. is a specialty provider of workers' compensation insurance focused on small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking and agriculture.  AMERISAFE actively markets workers' compensation insurance in 33 states and the District of Columbia.

About Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year®

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 140 cities in more than 50 countries.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 141,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited operating in the US. For more information about our organization, please visit www.ey.com.

SOURCE AMERISAFE, Inc.