Former Nextel Online GM Tapped to Become Bridgewater Systems CEO; Mike Ozburn Joins Leading Profile-based Access Control and Service Creation Software Company

Business Wire, Nov 6, 2000

Business/Technology Editors

KANATA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2000

Bridgewater Systems, a global provider of profile-based access control and service creation software, today announced it has appointed Mike Ozburn, former vice president and general manager of Nextel Online, as president and chief executive officer (CEO).

"When I joined both Nextel and MCI, each was in the early stages of establishing market dominance," said Ozburn. I believe that Bridgewater Systems is at a very similar point in its history and has a real chance to be a recognized leader in the emerging market for personalized IP services. As we move toward a world with ubiquitous Internet access where users are connected to a variety of different devices through a variety of different networks, a customer-centric service model will become very important. With our profile-based service platform, Bridgewater is in a key position to meet the demand for personalized services that have been defined to meet the customer's preference for service delivery."

Previously, Ozburn was vice president and general manager of Nextel Online, at Nextel in Reston, Virginia. In that position, Ozburn created "Nextel Online," the industry's first wireless Web initiative. He also developed strategy for Web applications and architecture, and established strategic relationships between Nextel and Internet industry leaders, including Microsoft, Netscape and AOL. Ozburn also acted as vice president and chief information officer at Nextel.

Ozburn has also held the positions of general manager for the Telecommunications Group at General Instrument Corp., and director, North American Marketing, for MCI Communications Corp.

Doug Somers, Bridgewater Systems' former CEO, will become executive vice president. Somers will focus his full efforts on strategic alliances and market development.

"We are very excited to have Mike join the Bridgewater Systems team," said Somers. "Mike's reputation is well known within the industry, and I was thrilled to be part of the team that selected him as Bridgewater's new CEO."

About Bridgewater Systems

Founded in 1997, Bridgewater Systems is a global provider of profile-based access control and service creation software. Bridgewater's Internet business solution enables network, service and application providers to build, manage and capitalize on the explosive growth of IP services, from retail and wholesale Internet access through to VPNs, hosting, multimedia applications and converged IP/PSTN services. For additional information, please visit www.bridgewatersystems.com.

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