The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Awarded $10,000 Sponsorship From Ford Motor Company

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 20 -- The Michigan Council of Women in Technology (MCWT), an organization providing outreach, professional development and service to the Michigan technology community, will today receive a $10,000 sponsorship from Ford Motor Company. The formal presentation of the sponsorship will take place at MCWT's winter event, entitled "IT, Disclosure and the Law: What Your Company & IT Dept Need to Know," at the Ford Conference and Event Center tonight from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.

The platinum-level sponsorship will benefit the organization's scholarship and leadership programs, which are aimed toward individuals pursuing careers in technology. To date, four scholarships have been distributed to area college students. The organization, which sponsors technology camps for elementary school children, hosts monthly technology programs focused on allowing high school students to hear from leaders in all areas of information technology on their careers and the skills the students will need to succeed.

"Ford Motor Company is committed to furthering technology leadership and training in the Michigan community, especially among young women," said Marv Adams, vice president, Ford Motor Company and chief information officer. "We are pleased to see that an organization has committed to providing mentoring, training, financial resources and continued education to this group. Accordingly, we see our support of MCWT as a considerable investment in the future."

Adams will represent Ford at tonight's MCWT event, and will formally announce the sponsorship during the program. Tonight's panel includes some of the region's top legal professionals discussing what organizations need to know about new laws and regulations resulting from the SEC's scrutiny of recent corporate scandals. The panel includes the State of Michigan's CIO, Teresa Takai, Visteon's CIO, Lorie Buckingham, Dickinson Wright's Cynthia A. Moore and Plante Moran's Leslie Murphy.

Ford joins a number of other prestigious corporations who serve as financial and resource sponsors for the organization, founded in 2002. Microsoft Corporation is a platinum sponsor, and other chapter sponsors include Delphi, Walsh College, SunTel Services, LogicaCMG and Airfoil Public Relations.

"We are thrilled that Ford is providing this valuable support to MCWT," said Sandy Moore, president of the Council. "As a result of this sponsorship, we will be able to invest immediately and significantly to the ongoing training of young professionals seeking technology careers."

About MCWT:

The Michigan Council of Women in Technology provides leadership, mentoring, outreach, professional development and service to professional women within the Michigan technology community. The organization is committed to the open sharing of ideas among peers. Further, the organization fosters growth and continued development for tomorrow's technology leaders. The organization will offer compelling programs, opportunities for relationship- building, and outreach initiatives. The group's long term goals include the provision of organizational support to Michigan's educational institutions, to foster the growth and profile of women in technology fields. MCWT sponsors include: Ford Motor Company, Microsoft Corporation, Delphi, Walsh College, SunTel Services, LogicaCMG, PR Newswire and Airfoil Public Relations. For more information, please see www.mcwt.org .