EXHIBIT 99.1

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

         In connection with the Annual Report of River Holding Corp. (the
"Company") on Form 10-K for the quarter ended December 31, 2002 as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Periodic
Report"), I, Charles A. French, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, certify, to my knowledge, that:

     7.   The Periodic Report fully complies with the requirements of Section
          13(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; and

     8.   The information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in
          all material respects, the financial condition and results of
          operations of the Company.



                                        /s/ CHARLES A. FRENCH
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Charles A. French
                                        President and Chief Financial Officer
                                        March 24, 2002