EXHIBIT 99.1


NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                            Contact:    William W. Sherertz
                                                             President and
                                                             Chief Executive
                                                             Officer

                                                 Telephone:  (503) 220-0988

                     BBSI Names Michael Elich Vice President
                           and Chief Operating Officer

      PORTLAND,  OREGON, May 16, 2005 - Barrett Business Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:
BBSI)  announced today that the Company's board of directors has elected Michael
L. Elich as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.  Mr. Elich has served as
BBSI's  Director of Business  Development  since  joining the Company in October
2001.  Prior to BBSI,  Mr. Elich served as Executive  Vice  President  and Chief
Operating  Officer for Skills Resource  Training  Center,  a company acquired by
BBSI in January  2004.  Mr. Elich holds a B.S.  degree in Economics and Business
from Montana State University.

      BBSI  provides  human  resource  management  solutions  to large and small
companies throughout many regions of the United States.

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