EC Outlook Strengthens Management Team; Adds Two New Executive Vice Presidents To Lead Company's Strategic Activities

    HOUSTON--Jan. 30, 2001--EC Outlook, a leading network platform provider and developer of software applications that enable rapid B2B integration and automated supply chain management activities, announced today two management team additions who will provide strategic guidance and business direction within several company divisions.
    Dr. Patrick DeSouza joins EC Outlook as executive vice president for corporate development and general counsel. In this role, DeSouza will head EC Outlook's efforts to establish key strategic partnerships with other leading companies in the e-business arena. He will also be responsible for overseeing EC Outlook's international expansion and will serve as the company's internal corporate counsel.
    Most recently, DeSouza was a banker with Violy Byorum & Partners (VB&P). Based in New York and with offices in Sao Paulo and Bogota, VB&P is a leading independent investment bank focusing on cross-border mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance activities for Latin America. In addition to his investment banking experience, DeSouza has an extensive corporate law background, including several years with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, one of the leading technology law firms in the United States.
    DeSouza has significant public sector experience, having served in the White House as Director for Inter-American Affairs on the National Security Council. Dr. DeSouza holds a B.A. degree in economics from Columbia University, a J.D. degree from Yale Law School and a Ph.D. in international relations from Stanford University.
    Dean Fischer joins EC Outlook as executive vice president, Channels & Customer Solutions. In his new position, Fischer will direct EC Outlook's channel marketing activities, overseeing efforts to develop new channel marketing relationships and enhance existing ones. He will work closely with key channel partners to integrate their product and solution offerings into the EC Outlook network platform and software applications in order to leverage and enhance overall functionality and deliver increased benefits to customers. In addition, Fischer will focus on establishing relationships within the systems integrator community.
    Fischer comes to EC Outlook after an accomplished 23-year career with Arthur Andersen, where he was most recently a global managing partner in the firm's Business Consulting division. In this role he was responsible for setting strategic and operating direction for over 1,200 global advanced technology and Internet consultants.
    For the last 12 years, Fischer has been heavily involved in the systems and technology practices of Arthur Andersen and Andersen Consulting, during which time he served the firm in a number of leadership roles. As Arthur Andersen's Chicago office managing partner for its advanced technology practice, he started the practice and grew it to over 100 consultants within three years. Having served as an engagement partner on a number of large, complex projects for such leading organizations as Abbott Laboratories, General Electric, Motorola and others, Fischer brings to EC Outlook a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience.
    "With the growing acceptance of our technology in the marketplace and important new account wins, comes the need for additional top-level management to oversee and drive our continued growth," said Mark Kingston, EC Outlook's chairman and CEO. "Both Patrick and Dean are accomplished individuals with considerable experience and expertise that will serve EC Outlook and its investors extremely well as we build key strategic alliances and expand our presence internationally."
    DeSouza and Fischer bring the number of new EC Outlook executive team members to three since the company's late August closing on $25 million in funding from a group led by Venrock Associates and Barings. In early October, the company named former Arthur Andersen partner Mathew Verghese as its new president/COO.

    About EC Outlook

    EC Outlook is a leading network platform provider and developer of software applications that enable rapid B2B integration. The company's products and services make it possible for companies to efficiently implement automated, collaborative business processes with 100 percent of their value-chain partners. As a result, businesses are able to gain increased operational efficiencies and cost-savings that can produce improved bottom line results and a sustainable competitive advantage. EC Outlook is a privately held, venture-backed company with offices in Houston, Texas and Columbus, Ohio. For more information call 614/718-9290 or visit www.ecoutlook.com.