Kerr formed a partnership with Rod Cruickshank, who had entered the industry in 1984. At the time, Kerr Insurance had four employees and approximately $400,000 in annual revenue. Together, Kerr and Cruickshank received the endorsement of the Oregon Medical Association (OMA) and formed a second company, Kerr-Cruickshank – a 50/50 endeavor with just 14 employees. Jo Bryson, former CEO of the OMA, has known Bruce since 2002, and she stated, “The relationship between customer (OMA) and vendor (Kerr-Cruickshank) blossomed.”