SSA Global Technologies Announces New Regional Presidents; New Structure Enables Leaders to Spearhead Business Development And Manage Customer Relationships More Efficiently

Business Wire, August 5, 2002

Business Editors/Technology Writers

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 5, 2002

SSA Global Technologies Inc.(TM) (SSA GT(TM)), a worldwide provider of enterprise solutions and services, announced today it has appointed new regional presidents who will support the company's growth and ensure customers receive the utmost support and attention.

Last April, SSA GT increased its market share to more than 9,000 customers when it acquired the supply chain management, financial and human resource management product lines of interBiz from Computer Associates. With a business strategy that includes growth through acquisition and development of customer share, stronger regional leadership is needed to manage change as the company strengthens ties to customers worldwide.

The new Regional Presidents, who will report directly to Graeme Cooksley, executive vice president, Global Sales and Marketing, are as follows:

-- Martin Ambrose - Regional President, Asia Pacific/Japan

-- Warren Fletcher - Regional President, North America

-- Oscar Garcia-Velasco - Regional President, Latin America

-- Rick Gonzales - Regional President, Global Accounts

-- Philip Gray - Regional President, EMEA

"These individuals reflect our deep industry knowledge and commitment to superior customer service," said Graeme Cooksley, executive vice president, Global Sales and Marketing, SSA GT. "With this new structure in place, we can improve operational controls and respond more quickly to market and customer requirements."

A short biography of each president follows.

Martin Ambrose will lead all operational and sales activities

for the AP/J region. This region is distinct in its diversity

and opportunity of new customer growth. Martin is a trusted

member of the management team and already well known in the

region. In his recent role as vice president of solution

management and marketing, Martin presented the company's

product vision to customers, media, industry analysts and

company professionals numerous times. Also, in this role, he

led the Global Guide Group activities for SSA GT. The guide

groups are responsible for setting the product direction

based on input from clients and utilizing the expertise of

industry analysts and the field organization. Mr. Ambrose

joined SSA in 1995 and served as General Manager of SSA

Canada until June 2001 when he became vice president of

Solutions Management & Marketing. Before joining SSA in 1995,

his business experience included serving in technical sales

management roles at JBA Canada, JBA UK and RTS.

Warren Fletcher will lead all sales and operations for SSA GT

North America. This region has a mature client base that

represents nearly one third of the company's revenues and

includes many large multi-national clients and smaller

clients on various product releases. Mr. Fletcher is well

suited for his new role. He joined SSA GT from Geac, where he

spent 20 years in various management capacities. In his most

recent position, as Vice President of Geac Computers Vertical

Markets, he managed five software divisions (Architectural

Engineering & Construction, Restaurants, Public Safety,

Hotels and Restaurants) with revenues of $70M USD.

His primary responsibilities included revenue and

profitability (P&L) for all operating units, sales to major

accounts, business plans, and operating results. Mr. Fletcher

holds an MBA with concentration in Accounting from the

University of South Florida.

Oscar Garcia-Velasco will lead the Latin American regional

sales and operations activities. Dr. Garcia-Velasco joined

SSA GT in 1997 as Manager of the Administrative and Financial

sectors of SSA GT Argentina. From there he moved on to

General Manager South America. In March 2002, he took over

operations for all of Latin America based in Sao Paulo,

Brazil. As Regional President of SSA GT Latin America, Dr.

Garcia-Velasco is responsible for all administrative, sales

and technical operations within his region.

Before joining SSA GT, Dr. Garcia-Velasco worked for IBM

Argentina for three years. A year and a half of which was

spent in New York City to develop the Finance and

Reengineering divisions for IBM Latin America. These

divisions serviced IBM clients in Argentina, Uruguay,

Paraguay and Chile. Dr. Garcia-Velasco attained his Doctorate

in Commercial Sciences from the University of Buenos Aires.

Rick Gonzales leads an elite team that covers SSA GT's

strategic and global customers who represent longstanding

and key relationships for the company. These customers

influence the product direction through participation in

Global Guide Groups. Mr. Gonzales is responsible for sales

generation and new business on a global scale. An

accomplished veteran of account management, Mr. Gonzales

joined SSA GT as Regional Manager of Major Account Sales

on August 1, 1992 and was appointed Senior Vice President

of Global Accounts in May 2001. Mr. Gonzales has held

numerous Sales Management positions within the company,

including General Manager US Operations and Americas

Regional President.

For over nineteen years prior to joining the company, he held