PurchasePro.Com Announces Strategic Management Team for Its Supplier Diversity Program

Business Wire, Jan 13, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 13, 2000

Five Diversity Business Executives Will Spearhead E-Commerce

Development for Women- and Minority-Owned Business

PurchasePro.com Inc. (Nasdaq:PPRO), a leading provider of business-to-business electronic commerce services, announces the addition of five new executives to its supplier diversity initiative department.

"The PurchasePro.com network establishes alliances with minority/women business enterprises (M/WBE) and their respective business associations to work proactively with the corporate buyers on our network," says Charles Johnson, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of PurchasePro.com. "PurchasePro.com's goal is to have a world-class supplier diversity program that contributes to the success of our business, improves performance and reflects the makeup of the communities in which our member buyers and suppliers do business. The addition of these five outstanding executives in the area of supplier diversity will help us advance our internal goals and those of the businesses on our network."

Arlene Frances Taylor was the President of the Cincinnati Minority Supplier Development Council (CMSDC) before joining PurchasePro.com as a Vice President of Outreach for Supplier Diversity. At CMSDC she managed a minority business development network of more than 300 minority owned businesses and 120 major corporations and organizations. She brings more than 18 years of professional experience in marketing strategy, business development and operations management in both the communication industry and in non-profit organizations.

Ronald Ross comes to PurchasePro.com as Vice President of Program Development for Supplier Diversity from his post as Vice President of Information Systems and Chief Information Officer for the National Black Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C. Ross brings with him a broad knowledge of the design, development and implementation of web-enabled information systems and many alliances in the black-owned business community. Ross holds several computer technology-related patents and is a former Senior Associate with the consulting firm of Booz Allen & Hamilton, Inc.

As Vice President of Education for Supplier Diversity, Richard Hernandez will be responsible for developing multicultural e-commerce education and training programs targeted to small minority and women-owned businesses. Prior to PurchasePro.com, Hernandez was a Senior Sourcing Specialist with BP Amoco Corporation in Chicago. He is the author of numerous articles and presentations on electronic commerce and is a recognized expert in using the Internet to locate minority and women owned businesses.

Joyce Tabak, Vice President of M/WBE Outreach for Supplier Diversity, was most recently a Vice President with the Bank of America in California where she served as the Regional Manager for Minority Business Development. She has extensive experience in developing programs with an emphasis on marketing, community outreach and mentoring minority businesses. Tabak served as the chairperson of the Southern California Minority Purchasing Council, and has served on board of directors and advisory boards for various business associations, including those serving the Asian, African-American, Latin and women's business communities.

Mary Schnack will be the Director of Marketing for Supplier Diversity. She is a specialist in communications with more than 20 years of experience. A former newspaper reporter and television news producer, she has served as public relations consultant for clients throughout the world. Besides owning small businesses in California and Arizona, she has worked with a variety of businesses and business associations for the past 10 years.

About PurchasePro.com

PurchasePro.com, Inc. (Nasdaq:PPRO) is a leading provider of Internet business-to-business electronic commerce services. The company's e-commerce solution is comprised of public and private "e-marketplaces" where businesses can buy and sell a wide range of products and services in an efficient, competitive and cost-effective manner. The company has designed its e-marketplaces to meet the needs of customers as well as their strategic business partners.

A key element of its strategy is to develop sales and marketing relationships. These relationships include Sprint Corporation, Advanstar Communications, Office Depot, Inc., Primavera Systems, DigitalWork, VerticalNet, Cincinnati Bell, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers. The Company provides extensive support and training programs. For more information, call toll free at 888/830-4600 or in Las Vegas at 702/316-7000. You can also access PurchasePro.com, Inc. at its Web site, www.purchasepro.com.

This press release includes forward looking statements which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including whether we will achieve our goal of developing a world-class supplier diversity program and whether this program will contribute to our success, as well as the risks and uncertainties associated with rapidly changing technologies such as the Internet, the risks of technology development and the risks of competition. Actual results could differ materially. For more information about these risks and uncertainties, see the SEC filings of PurchasePro.com, Inc, including the section entitled "Factors That May Affect Results" in its 10Q filing for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999, which is available from the company on request and on the Internet at the SEC's Website, www.sec.gov.