Chip Bifano Appointed Managing Director of Crawford Contractor Connection(SM)

ATLANTA, July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Restoration industry executive Chip Bifano has been appointed as a managing director for Contractor Connection, Crawford & Company's managed repair network, to focus on further developing a new service line the Company recently introduced.

Reporting to Larry Thomas, senior vice president of Contractor Connection, Bifano will be responsible for oversight of the Contractor Connection Consumer Services program, including business and operational development of the new service. In addition, Bifano will manage and oversee Contractor Connection's recruiting and membership services departments.

"Chip has extensive expertise in insurance restoration, business development and franchise network growth. His diverse skill set makes him an ideal fit for this newly created position and his experience has prepared him well for this role," Thomas said. "I expect Chip will be a key asset to the Contractor Connection management team as we seek to expand our consumer services."

Bifano spent the past seven years as president of an international textile restoration company and his early career with a major restoration franchise as an owner and later operations executive. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee.

Contractor Connection, which has more than 3,500 members in the United States and Canada, provides insurers and consumers with an efficient, high-quality managed repair network for residential and commercial property claims programs. The Consumer Services program offers a wide range of general contracting, repair and remodeling services directly to property owners whether repairs are related to an insurance claim or just part of a remodeling or maintenance project.

About Crawford

Based in Atlanta, Ga., Crawford & Company (www.crawfordandcompany.com) is the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions to the risk management and insurance industry as well as self-insured entities, with an expansive global network serving clients in more than 70 countries. The Crawford System of Claims Solutions(SM) offers comprehensive, integrated claims services, business process outsourcing and consulting services for major product lines including property and casualty claims management, workers compensation claims and medical management, and legal settlement administration. The Company's shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbols CRDA and CRDB.

SOURCE Crawford & Company