Progressive Employer Management Company (PEMCO), a leading provider of payroll services, human resources, workers’ compensation and employee benefits for small and mid-sized companies, has partnered with Zurich Insurance Group, a prominent multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets, to offer A-rated workers’ compensation for small to medium-sized businesses.

“Our goal is to help our clients minimize risks that can lead to increased workers’ compensation related expenses, which ultimately impacts their business’ profitability,” said Clinton Burgess, CEO of PEMCO. “As we continue to expand our footprint and help businesses of all sizes, it is important for us to partner with an A-rated carrier like Zurich to make sure the needs of our clients and their injured employees are met in the most efficient and cost-effective way.”

Zurich Insurance Group provides workers’ compensation coverage in all non-monopolistic jurisdictions. Through their global capabilities, they can offer services regardless of employees’ location. All PEMCO’s current and new clients transitioned to the new carrier, effective Oct. 1, 2016.

In addition to the partnership with Zurich Insurance Group, PEMCO also continued to enhance the staffing of its risk management department. Linda Smiley was welcomed as PEMCO’s Risk Operations Manager. Linda has over 20 years of experience in the PEO industry working in Pricing and Risk Management roles. Linda has previously been the Risk Operations Manager at another large PEO and brings a vast amount of knowledge in the operational areas of data management, data integration, data reporting, policy issuance, compliance, coverage issues and monopolistic state management.
The team also welcomed Shelley Drost as the newest Risk Operations Specialist. Shelley brings over 20 years of experience in the operational areas of workers’ compensation and insurance, having previously worked for a carrier and an independent agency in her career.

“I am excited about these changes and know that it will make our team and the company even stronger as we continue to grow,” said Debra Hetzer, PEMCO Vice President of Risk Management. “Under our new workers’ compensation plan with Zurich, we know how important it is to closely manage the risk and exposure we are bringing on in our client base. With Linda and Shelley joining our team, we will now be able to effectively manage the increase in submissions we are seeing from sales, and ensure that we bring on profitable partners that will contribute to the health of our book of business.”

Headquartered in Sarasota, PEMCO has ten office locations in Florida and Texas. PEMCO is locally and nationally recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in its industry. With more than 20 years’ experience in providing business solutions to employers nationwide, PEMCO services the professional, medical, contractor, hospitality, service, industrial and nonprofit sectors.
For more information about PEMCO, visit http://www.progressiveemployer.com/.

About Progressive Employer Management Company
Progressive Employer Management Company (PEMCO) is one of the fastest growing professional employer organizations (PEO) in the nation. PEMCO is a full-service provider of payroll administration, workers’ compensation, employee benefits, and human resource management. Since 1999, PEMCO’s philosophy for becoming one of the largest PEOs in the U.S. has been to “Focus on the Customer” while allowing uncompromising integrity and relentless attention to detail to drive growth. PEMCO is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, with additional offices in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Ocala, Orlando, Pensacola and Tampa, Florida; as well as Dallas, Texas. For more information, visit http://www.progressiveemployer.com or call 888.925.2990.