Black & Veatch Acquires Fortegra, Expands Range Of Business and Technology Solutions

Overland Park, KS (October 4, 2005) – Black & Veatch Corporation announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Fortegra, a leader in business and technology consulting services for the energy and utility industries, located in Lynchburg, VA.

Fortegra will join Black & Veatch as part of its Enterprise Management Solutions division that provides business advisory solutions to the energy and water industries. The Enterprise Management Solutions division also includes the Lukens Energy Group and R.J. Rudden Associates, both of which were acquired earlier this year.

“With this move, Black & Veatch continues to build its world-class management consulting practice by adding a company that fits our strategy of offering creative, proven solutions to meet the challenges our clients face,” said Len Rodman, Chairman, President and CEO of Black & Veatch. “Fortegra’s 80 professionals have vast industry experience, market-leading expertise and a strong client focus. We look forward to merging the strengths of Fortegra with those of our Enterprise Management Solutions division.”

Black & Veatch’s acquisition of Fortegra will enhance and expand the range of business advisory solutions the company offers. Fortegra’s expertise includes the areas of Customer Information Systems (CIS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), billing, field operations, scheduling and settlement applications. Fortegra’s business solutions will be integrated with Enterprise Management Solutions strengths in business and regulatory strategy, financial feasibility, rate development, bond financing, asset valuation and evaluation, resource planning, risk management and business applications.

“The combination of Enterprise Management Solutions and Fortegra provides Black & Veatch a suite of management and technology advisory solutions that is unparalleled in the marketplace,” said Rodger Smith, President of Black & Veatch’s Enterprise Management Solutions division. “Fortegra’s professionals greatly increase the scope and depth of solutions our organization offers in the areas of customer systems and technology.”

“Joining Black & Veatch is a great opportunity for Fortegra because our companies share many of the same cultural and philosophical ideals,” said Vincent Phelps, President of Fortegra. “Black & Veatch’s financial resources and array of capabilities will provide Fortegra and its professionals opportunities for even greater growth and client service. Combining two successful organizations with similar visions will drive our combined brand in the marketplace.”

Fortegra and Enterprise Management Solutions will have a combined team of approximately 220 professionals advising clients from offices across the country, including locations in Kansas City, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Orlando, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Phoenix and Los Angeles.

Black & Veatch has assembled an operations team to assist in the transition. “Together, Fortegra and Enterprise Management Solutions will continue to provide the high level of exceptional service and satisfaction clients expect from our organizations. We have developed a plan to ensure a seamless transition for Fortegra clients and professionals,” Smith said.

About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch Corporation is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in the fields of energy, water and information. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch serves its clients with conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, information technology, environmental, security design and consulting, and management consulting services. The employee-owned company has more than 90 offices worldwide. Black & Veatch is ranked on the Forbes “500 Largest Private Companies in the U.S.” listing for 2004. The company’s Web site address is www.bv.com.

About Fortegra
Fortegra is a professional services firm specializing in business and technology consulting services for the energy and utility industries. Since 1996, Fortegra has been committed to delivering premier management consulting and systems integration solutions for many of the largest energy and utility companies across North America. With deep industry and business process knowledge, along with a proven track record, Fortegra serves its clients with significant product and technology expertise in CIS and billing, scheduling and settlements, and other systems supporting customer care and field operations. More information is available at www.fortegra.com.

For more information, please contact:

Carl Petz
Black & Veatch Corporation
(913) 458-4685
petzcf@bv.com

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