AZDSI Becomes Universal Background Screening in an Effort to Meet Growing Demand for Background Checks.

Business Editors

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 2003

Phoenix-based Arizona Drug Screening and Investigations (AZDSI), the largest employment-screening firm in the state, is changing its name to Universal Background Screening. The name change follows an acquisition by a new ownership group led by Richard Geisel-Churchill of Rancho Murieta, Calif., and Kevin Olson of Paradise Valley, Ariz.

Founded in 1972 by Dick Todd, a former detective for the Phoenix Police Department, the company has built an impressive customer base of more than 500 customers including schools, hospitals and major corporations in a variety of industries. The company is recognized for establishing industry policies, methods and systems for background searches and employee drug testing programs.

After many months of talks, Todd sold the company in the fall of 2002 to a group of investors interested in AZDSI's unique qualities, established customer base and good business opportunities.

"I'd taken the company as far as I could on the resources I had, and I recognized the difference additional funding could make in our future," said Todd. "With investors, the company can continue to expand beyond the state into national markets."

Todd remains an active player in Universal Background Screening, continuing to serve as a community expert and speaker in the areas of employment screening and drug testing, as well as an integral part of the company's management and sales teams.

"The company's staff has a commitment to customer service that I have rarely seen in any industry," said Geisel-Churchill, chief executive officer. "That reputation of service, coupled with the increased liability placed on companies to conduct background checks on potential employees, gives the company a remarkable potential for growth."

According to Geisel-Churchill, the influx of capital from the purchase will maximize current opportunities and enhance service to clients. The first steps in enhancing service include sizable software and hardware upgrades, development of strategic partners in complementary industries and the change of the company's name to reflect its evolution.

"The name Universal Background Screening better reflects our continued business expansion outside of Arizona, as well as our business offering to provide certainty in the employment process while maintaining the high levels of service that our customers enjoy," said Geisel-Churchill.

Long-standing clients can attest to the enhanced services provided by Universal Background Screening.

"Several years ago, the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association was looking for a reputable employment screening agency that could deliver accurate background information in a timely fashion and, most importantly, deliver on its promises," said John Rivers, CEO, Arizona Hospital & Healthcare Association, and current client of Universal Background Screening. "We've never regretted our selection and thus far the transition to Universal Background Screening has been seamless, and we're excited for the prospect of further capacity from the company."

Universal Background Screening, founded in 1972, offers businesses certainty in the employment process through a comprehensive package of pre-employment screening and drug testing services. Using these services provides clients with the benefits of enhanced security, reduced liability, improved stability, increased productivity and cost savings in their candidate selection and hiring process. Corporate offices are located at 4000 N. Central Ave., Tenth Floor, Suite 1000, Phoenix, AZ 85012. The phone number is 602/263-8033 or toll-free, 877/263-8033. The Web address is www.universalbackground.com.