Press Release

Strat@comm Announces Acquisition of former NHTSA Spokesperson

12/13/96

NHTSA Spokesperson Joins Strat@comm

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Enhancing its already-strong stable
of transportation public relations talent, Strat@comm, Inc.  named
Barry McCahill as Senior Public Affairs Counselor. McCahill is the
longest-tenured spokesperson for the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration serving as Deputy Director of NHTSA's Office of Public
and Consumer Affairs since 1979 and most recently as Acting Director
of that office. Serving under eight Secretaries of Transportation at
the center of federal auto safety policy, McCahill possesses nearly
unmatched insight and institutional knowledge of numerous automotive
issues.

Strat@comm is a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs firm founded in
1995 by Jeff Conley, Ron DeFore, Steve Hellem and Diane Steed. These
principals have distinguished records of achievement in the areas of
transportation, environment, and energy public affairs.  Collectively,
they represent more than 80 years' experience providing senior
counseling to dozens of Fortune 100 companies, associations,
coalitions, and government agencies. Diane Steed is the
longest-tenured NHTSA Administrator; Jeff Conley has been an
automotive and environmental consultant since 1979; and Ron DeFore is
formerly NHTSA Director of Public Affairs, and Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of
Transportation.

Barry McCahill will provide Strat@comm clients with expert public
affairs guidance gained from 25 years in the field. "Barry's
experience and excellent relationships with transportation reporters
nationwide, along with Strat@comm's already strong transportation
issues team, positions Strat@comm as a leader in automotive public
affairs," stated Jeff Conley.

Several other highly qualified counselors have also recently joined
Strat@comm:

-- John Undeland -- Senior Public Affairs Counselor, former
Spokesperso for AAA;

-- Lee Coogan -- Senior Public Affairs Counselor, former Executive
Vice President of the Waverly Mineral Products Company;

-- Joseph Permetti -- Fund Raiser and Media Relations Consultant,
former consultant for various large scale grassroots and non-profit
organizations;

-- John Bagwell -- Account Supervisor/Internet Specialist, formerly
with Potomac Communications Group, Coalition for Vehicle Choice, and
the E. Bruce Harrison Company;

-- Jill Seipe -- Assistant Account Executive, former Emmy nominated TV
News Anchor and Producer; and,

-- Rebecca Huston -- Assistant Account Executive, former Smith Barney
Financial Consultant.

Strat@comm's winning formula also draws on the talents of specialized
consultants to create customized account teams that best meet client
needs. Senior counselors are supported by a dedicated administrative
staff that also helps provide responsive service to clients.
Strat@comm also has partnered with more than a dozen high-quality
public relations firms across the nation -- forming the Strat@comm Web
-- and thus provides clients with seamless national public relations
support.

Strat@comm's growing list of clients includes:

-- American Automobile Association
-- American Automobile Manufacturers Association
-- American Ceramic Industry Association
-- American Iron and Steel Institute
-- Arthritis Foundation Metropolitan Washington Chapter
-- Association of American Railroads
-- Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial Foundation
-- Center for Mental Health
-- Chrysler Corporation
-- Consortium for The Future
-- Corporate Environmental Enforcement Council
-- Ford Motor Company
-- General Motors Corporation
-- International Wood Products Association
-- National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
-- National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition
-- Process Gas Consumers Group
-- Sorptive Minerals Council
-- The Fertilizer Institute
-- TransTech Resources, Inc.
-- Winston & Strawn

Before McCahill joined NHTSA he served in public affairs positions
with the Internal Revenue Service; U.S.  Customs Service; National
Telephone Cooperative Association; U.S. Army Security Agency; and
Whyte, Berry, Price Advertising & Public Relations. McCahill graduated
from the University of Virginia with a BA in English. He resides in
Fairfax, Virginia, with his wife Ann and 5 children.