ServiceMaster Executive Vice President Nominated to Lead Small Business Administration

Business Wire, April 25, 2006

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. -- The ServiceMaster Company (NYSE:SVM) announced today that Executive Vice President Steven Preston will be leaving the company to pursue his nomination to become Administrator of the United States Small Business Administration. The White House announced today the President has nominated him to this post which requires Senate confirmation.

"We believe that Steve is an excellent candidate for leading the Small Business Administration. His work at ServiceMaster has proven that he is a visionary leader with a record of accomplishments and a deep appreciation of small businesses. Steve is a results-oriented executive and financial services leader, with nearly 25 years of experience. The SBA is guided by principles of leadership, integrity and entrepreneurship which are the same qualities we value at ServiceMaster. We thank Steve for the significant contribution he has made to ServiceMaster and wish him well as he moves on to the next chapter in his life," said Jonathan Ward, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ServiceMaster.

Steven Preston, 45, serves as Executive Vice President of The ServiceMaster Company and has led the company's drive to improve service and operational processes through the use of process engineering and technology initiatives. Mr. Preston joined the company as Chief Financial Officer in April 1997. In his role as CFO, he led the company through major financial and strategic milestones, and significantly expanded the company's access to capital in both the public equity and debt markets. He served previously as the Senior Vice President and Treasurer of First Data Corporation and as an investment banker at Lehman Brothers. Mr. Preston received his bachelor's degree in political science with Highest Distinction from Northwestern and received his M. B. A. from the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business.

ServiceMaster currently serves residential and commercial customers through a network of over 5,500 company-owned locations and franchised licenses. The Company's brands include TruGreen ChemLawn, TruGreen LandCare, Terminix, American Home Shield, InStar Services Group, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, Furniture Medic, AmeriSpec, ARS Service Express, Rescue Rooter, and American Mechanical Services. The core services of the Company include lawn care and landscape maintenance, termite and pest control, home warranties, disaster response and reconstruction, cleaning and disaster restoration, house cleaning, furniture repair, home inspection, and plumbing, heating and air conditioning.