Help Desk Institute Appoints Judy Benda as Executive Director of Membership

Business Wire, August 27, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 27, 2002

Help Desk Institute (HDI), the world's largest industry association for help desk and support professionals, today announced the appointment of Judy Benda to the position of executive director of membership. Ms. Benda will oversee HDI's Membership and Products business units. In her new role Benda is responsible for the creation, budgeting and implementation of short- and long-term membership and marketing plans and strategies, strategic alliances, partnerships and joint ventures, and the conceptualization, development and implementation of all HDI member services.

Ms. Benda is well known and well respected within the service and support industry. An HDI-Certified help desk manager, Benda brings an impressive and diverse background to HDI, which encompasses experience as a help desk practitioner, as well as expertise in the areas of customer service, sales, marketing, public relations, project management and process enhancement. Prior to joining HDI, she was help desk manager at ICG Telecommunications. The help desk provided support for more than 1,500 users on 150 applications, and Benda was instrumental in enhancing business processes that saved the company more than $40,000 per month. In addition, she has held key positions at several companies, including IT trainer, human resources analyst at Martin Marietta, and was the co-owner of Colorado Kids Clothes. Ms. Benda began her career in public relations at the leading firm Burson Marstellar, and attended Metropolitan State College.

Benda, who joined HDI in July 2002, has already successfully restructured the HDI infrastructure to promote its membership services area. "My goal is to re-establish HDI as the only association for IT support personnel, and to increase total membership by 30% in the next year. We will accomplish this by assessing the needs of our current membership, renewing our long-term commitment to our members' success, establishing new relationships within the industry, and providing deliverables that are immediately beneficial and timely," stated Benda. "Our new website will be a fun, and informative resource dedicated entirely to supporting the daily life of the support person. In addition, we will increase our member activities, and continue to provide the best annual conference in the industry."

"We are very pleased to have Judy joining our team in this important role," said Ron Muns, founder and CEO, Help Desk Institute. "We welcome her valuable experience, her leadership and her enthusiasm about the industry and commitment to strengthening and building our HDI membership community. In the short time that Judy has been with HDI, we have already recognized her ability to identify new business opportunities and develop successful teams to meet the current needs of HDI's membership."

"This is a great and exciting addition to the HDI executive team," stated Dawn Mular, IT operations global service analyst for Sun Microsystems and president of HDI's local chapter in Denver. "Everyone in the industry admires Judy's experience and energy. She is a strategic planner and team motivator, and we are confident that she will help HDI to become an even stronger and more valuable association for its members."

About Help Desk Institute

Help Desk Institute (HDI) is the world's largest industry association for help desk and support professionals. HDI's mission is to lead and promote help desk and support professionals by empowering its members through access to timely and valuable industry information, encouraging member collaboration, and establishing open standards, globally recognized certification and training programs. In addition to membership, certification, and training, HDI produces the highest-rated industry event, the HDI Annual Conference and Expo, for help desk and support professionals. HDI is member-focused and remains vendor-neutral in its efforts to facilitate open, independent networking and information sharing within the association network. Membership exceeds 7,500 with members from every continent worldwide. To become a member, or to obtain further information on HDI programs, visit the HDI web site at www.ThinkHDI.com.