Ion Systems Solidifies Its Position as Service Leader; Director of Professional Services Hired to Develop Advanced Customer Solutions

Business Wire, March 3, 1999

BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 1999--Ion Systems, a leading supplier of electrostatic energy management solutions for the control of static charge, today named James A. Suffoletta as the company's new director of professional services.

He brings to Ion Systems over 20 years of technical and marketing experience. Suffoletta's hire is a key step in Ion Systems' long-term strategy to provide ongoing services for customers in support of customized static control programs.

Suffoletta will direct a new line of professional services, including consulting, field training, auditing and certification programs for customers seeking specialized electrostatic energy management solutions. Suffoletta will also manage Ion Systems' prominent technical services group, the largest in the industry. He will report directly to Michael George, senior vice president of sales, marketing and sector operations.

A primary project assigned to Suffoletta will be the development of compliance programs in accordance with new industry standards, such as SEMI's E-780998 Static Budget Guideline for Capital Equipment. The Static Budget Guideline outlines methods for establishing a static budget for acceptable levels of static charge in and around process equipment -- a routine problem that significantly cuts chipmakers' productivity as they move to more advanced technologies.

"The appointment of a director of professional services is a natural extension of our long tradition of providing ongoing service. Our customers know that technical consultation both before and after the installation of ionization systems is critical to the success of their static control programs," said Scott Gehlke, Ion Systems president and CEO. "With Jim on board, Ion Systems has added resources to maximize the benefits of static control solutions for our customers."

Suffoletta brings to Ion Systems extensive management and technical experience. He has worked for GE Medical Systems since 1980, most recently as director of business development. In nearly 20 years with GE Medical Systems, he held numerous positions, including regional service manager, manager of service marketing, product manager and quality engineer.

At GE Medical Systems, Suffoletta recently headed a new products and sales strategy team, which eventually helped net an increase in sales of over $8 million, and was part of a senior management team for over 300 employees. Prior to 1980, Suffoletta held positions as a project industrial engineer with U.O.P., Bostrom Division and as a production engineer with GE Appliances.

Suffoletta received a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from the University of Wisconsin in 1977 and a masters of business administration from Marquette University in Milwaukee in 1985.

Ion Systems, an ISO 9001 certified company, provides electrostatic energy management solutions to help high-tech manufacturers develop and manage their static budgets for maximum yield, throughput, and profitability.

The company provides a wide range of products and services for a variety of applications -- from cleanrooms to process equipment to electronics assembly areas. Ion Systems has an extensive global support network and is headquartered at 1005 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94170. Additional information, news and events about the company can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ion.com.