Michael D. Johns Named to Top Engineering Post at Southern Research Institute

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 11, 2004 -- Southern Research Institute today named Michael D. Johns vice president of the Environment, Energy and Engineering Division. He will immediately assume management responsibilities for all engineering technology research and development programs that support the aerospace, automotive, defense, environmental technology and energy- producing industries.

Since late 2002, Johns has directed the automotive research program at Southern Research.

"As the leader of our automotive program, Mike Johns has demonstrated high caliber leadership, and has shown a tremendous amount of drive to take on new research business challenges and opportunities," said Bob Lonergan, president and CEO of Southern Research Institute. "In a very short time, he has created one of our most dynamic research programs, and we feel his remarkable energy and enthusiasm will carry over to all of our engineering programs."

Johns feels fortunate to take on an engineering program with a successful track record and so many new opportunities.

"The Southern Research engineering business continues to be strong because of the leadership we have at all levels of the organization," said Johns. "Some of the best and brightest engineers and technicians in their industries work here. With everyone's help, we will continue to elevate and expand our engineering technologies and capabilities through a balanced commitment to explore new growth opportunities while maintaining a solid commitment to our core research businesses."

Johns earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama and is currently working on his MBA in the Executive MBA program at the University of Alabama. He first joined Southern Research in 1995 as a materials engineer, and was later named department head of the Materials Characterization Group. During that time, he began working with automotive OEMs, suppliers, universities and consultants on R&D projects supporting automotive manufacturing operations. In 2002, he was named director of the Transportation Systems Division at Southern Research. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the American Society for Metals, and the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association.

About Southern Research Institute

Southern Research is an independent, not-for-profit organization that conducts scientific research at facilities in Birmingham, AL, Frederick, MD, and Research Triangle Park, NC. Southern Research provides contract research in the fields of engineering, automotive research and testing, chemical and biological defense, homeland security, environmental and energy-related research, and pre-clinical drug discovery and drug development. The Institute is affiliated with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). For information, see www.southernresearch.org .

Media Contact: Rhonda Jung, Southern Research Institute, 205-581-2317, jung@sri.org