Joe Mertens Named Executive Vice President of Business Development for Sirius Computer Solutions; IBM's Largest Midrange Reseller Accelerates Growth Strategy

Business Wire, May 21, 2002

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 2002

Sirius Computer Solutions announced Tuesday that Joe Mertens has joined the company to lead its business growth and acquisition strategy efforts.

Sirius, IBM's largest midrange eServer reseller in the world, appointed Mertens to the newly created post to capitalize on the industry trend of consolidation. Mertens, a former Avnet Executive, rejoins Harvey Najim, Chief Executive Officer at Sirius, after spending five years solely in the computer distribution arena.

During his tenure with Avnet, Mertens is credited with growing sales to $981 million in fiscal 2000 as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the IBM Business Unit. Phoenix-based Avnet Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 company, posted sales of $12.8 billion (year ended June 30, 2001).

Mertens offers extensive experience in his new role. He began his career with Sirius Computer Solutions, (then known as Star Data Systems) and was later named Executive Vice President by Najim. His primary responsibilities were sales and operations of the wholesale and distribution divisions. In 1997, those divisions were sold and renamed Business Partner Solutions as a subsidiary of Savoir Technology Group. Mertens was subsequently appointed President and CEO of Business Partner Solutions (BPS).

In 1999, BPS was consolidated into Savoir Technology Group and Mertens took the helm as President and Chief Operating Officer. He was responsible for all sales and operations in the United Sates, Canada and Mexico. During his tenure at Savoir, he grew sales from $237.9 million in 1997 to $767.2 million in 1999. In July 2000, Avnet Computer Marketing purchased Savoir Technology Group and Mertens was named Executive Vice President and General Manager of the IBM Business Unit.

In July 2001, Mertens moved into a consulting role for Avnet and was named Executive Vice President of Business Development. Joe Mertens has served on the IBM Advisory Council as well as the Boards of Directors for Network Systems International (Nasdaq:NESI), Sirius Computer Solutions, Clear Technologies, Appsmall.com and Savoir Technology Group (Nasdaq:SVTG).

Najim and Mertens, a unique business combination, share the distinction of individually earning IBM's Lifetime Achievement Award -- the only two non-IBM recipients of the award. Najim noted he is delighted to have Mertens back as they share a championship vision of business performance. Mertens added, "We believe there is a current opportunity to consolidate this fragmented market of IBM Solution Providers. We want to be the leader with these efforts."

San Antonio based Sirius Computer Solutions is an IBM Premier Business Partner and the world's largest midrange eServer reseller. Sirius' expertise at helping customers design, implement and maintain IT infrastructures is practiced at more than 25 offices nationwide. The company sells an array of solutions for e-business, Customer Relationship Management, High Availability, Enterprise Management, Server Solutions, Wireless Solutions, Supply Chain Management and Enterprise Resource Planning. Sirius received the IBM Business Partner Leadership award for the last four years. For more information, go to www.siriuscom.com.