``Roast and Toast'' Theme for Software Association of Oregon's 13th Annual Gala and Auction to Benefit Technology Education Statewide

Business Wire, Sept 30, 2003

News Editors/Business Editors

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 2003

Event Will Feature "Toast" of first Annual

"Technology Teacher of the Year" and "Roast"

of Two Prominent High-Tech Executives

The Software Association of Oregon's (SAO) October 18, 2003 auction at the Oregon Convention Center will feature a humorous "roast" of two of the state's most prominent technology CEOs, as well as an inaugural award recognizing a high school teacher for outstanding contributions to technology education in Oregon.

Proceeds from the event support SAO programs, including the innovative Teacher Industry Partnership for Software (TIPS). TIPS sponsors a two-week summer institute, held this past August at Western Oregon University, at which dozens of technology educators statewide receive training enabling them to teach computer programming, engineering and robotics classes in their high schools.

Thousands of students statewide have benefited from this leading-edge high-tech training since TIPS' inception in 1999, and, according to TIPS-trained teachers, many of their students have pursued technology careers as a direct result.

"Our creation of an annual award honoring an outstanding Oregon technology educator reflects SAO's support of the passionate, highly committed teachers across Oregon who battle inadequate budgets and resources every day to expose young people to the challenges and rewards of technology," said Larry Wade, president of the SAO. The award includes a $1000 stipend for classroom teaching materials.

The two Oregon technology CEOs who will be "roasted" at the event are widely recognized and respected for their achievements and important contributions to Oregon's technology industry. Allen Alley co-founded Pixelworks in January 1997, and is now its President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board. Pixelworks is one of Oregon's fastest growing companies.

Over the last 18 years, Craig Barnes has founded and led several venture-backed software companies, including Extensis and Now Software. This month Barnes will announce You Software, his fourth venture-backed software company, which recently closed its first round of institutional financing.

Lead sponsors for the gala and auction include Ater Wynne LLP, City of Beaverton, First Tech Credit Union, Logic General, Pixelworks, Tonkon Torp LLP, and Vesta.

Other participating organizations include ADP Dealer Services, Barran Liebman, Co-Operations, CMD/Creative Media Development, Davis Wright Tremaine, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Easystreet, Ernst & Young, Inspiration Software, Jones Partners, KPMG LLP, Logic General, Maxwell PR, Mentor Graphics, Merant, NetIQ, OGI School of Science & Engineering at OHSU, Oregon University System, Perkins Coie, The Prop Shop, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Ruby Communications, Tripwire, Vesta, as well as many others.

The oral auction will feature a variety of interesting and unusual items, including getaways to Costa Rica, Black Butte Ranch, Lake Sammamish, and Eagle Crest, and one-of-a-kind items such as a Rebecca Ghiglieri sculpture, a wine cellar starter kit with a half-dozen world-class red wines, a Portland Spirit cruise for 50, and an AKC black Labrador puppy.

Dozens of silent auction items will also be offered, including private horseback riding lessons, cooking classes at Caprial's and In Good Taste, getaways to the Oregon Coast, Central Oregon, downtown Portland, and other Northwest destinations, business and educational software, a portrait package, restaurant certificates, Linux, Sun and Microsoft training, Blazer box seats, and a fishing trip with Congressman David Wu.

To register to attend the event, or for more information, contact www.sao.org or call 503-228-5452. The event will kick off at 5:30 pm on Saturday, October 18 in the Oregon Convention Center.