Al Shugart International Adds Three Employees to Public Relations Team; Enthusiastic Group Continues to Grow in Response to Overwhelming Interest in Public Relations Services

Business Wire, May 22, 2000

Business Editors

SANTA CRUZ, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2000

Further strengthening its commitment to excellence in public relations for start-up companies, Al Shugart International (ASI) today announced the addition of three employees to its PR staff. Jessica Damsen has joined ASI as Director, Communications, and Dr. Rebecca Mirsky and George Nibler have joined as Knowledge Management Analysts. Based in ASI's Santa Cruz, California headquarters, Damsen will assume primary responsibility for several of ASI's public relations clients. Dr. Rebecca Mirsky and George Nibler, both based in Boise, Idaho, are responsible for research, critical analysis and technical writing in support of ASI's clients. All three employees report directly to Judy Plummer, vice president of Communications for ASI.

"ASI's PR strategy is based on helping our clients effectively communicate with their individual target audiences, whether that's the media, analysts, employees, investors, or their customers," said Al Shugart, president and CEO of ASI. "Jessica's experience strengthens our capabilities in overall communications strategies, while Rebecca and George are experts at researching relevant information and synthesizing it into usable knowledge for ASI, our clients, and our clients' customers."

About Jessica Damsen

Jessica Damsen has over 10 year's experience as an entrepreneur, telecommunications business representative and marketing and public relations consultant in Santa Cruz and southern California. Most recently, Jessica worked as a consultant, performing direct mail campaigns, media relations, print and radio advertising, special events planning, and Web site development and management for a various clients located in Santa Cruz County. Jessica's skills at networking and communications enabled her to develop extensive partnerships with key industry influencers, and were also of immense value in her volunteer work with the American Cancer Society. Jessica holds a Bachelor's degree, Magna Cum Laude, in East Asian Language and Culture from UCLA and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

About Dr. Rebecca Mirsky

With an educational background in biology and environmental science and engineering, Dr. Rebecca Mirsky has held a variety of positions over the past 20 years. These include project planning and cost management, field engineering, contract administration, technical design, and education in fields as diverse as nuclear fuel technology, space and defense, hazardous and radioactive waste cleanup and construction management. Most recently, she held the position of Assistant Professor in the Construction Management Department at Boise State University. Rebecca holds Bachelor's degrees in Animal Science and Engineering Science, and a Masters and Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering. She is also a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Idaho.

About George Nibler

George Nibler comes to ASI with nine year's experience as an environmental geochemist preceded by five years of mechanical engineering and design. George's extensive scientific background and experience in research and analysis have provided him with keen analytical and writing skills that are well suited to evaluating and interpreting technology. George holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Geology from UCLA and a Masters in Geology from Stanford. He is also a registered Professional Geologist in the State of Idaho.

About Al Shugart International

Al Shugart International (ASI) is a startup resource company focused on helping entrepreneurs launch new enterprises, and growing small companies into big companies. ASI provides many forms of assistance to entrepreneurs, either directly or indirectly, including investment, management, public relations, human resources, and financial services. Founded by Al Shugart in 1998, ASI's objectives are to maintain active worldwide awareness of technology status and trends, assist entrepreneurial companies with consulting and/or investment, manage a startup/early stage venture capital fund, and operate as a holding company for implementing ideas. ASI is headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, and also has an office in the heart of Silicon Valley. More information about Al Shugart International can be found on the World Wide Web at www.alshugart.com.