21st Century Announces New Chief Operating Officer.

Business Editors

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 11, 2001

Concluding its search for an individual to fill the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer, 21st Century Technologies Inc. (OTCBB:TEXN) announced today that it had hired Scott Sheppard to fill the position. Sheppard, a resident of Colleyville, Texas, will be responsible for the overall day-to-day operations of 21st Century and its subsidiaries and will office in the company's Haltom City, Texas facility. 21st Century currently has eight wholly owned subsidiaries.

Scott has been in the financial industry for 14 years with 12 years spent at Banks in various commercial lending and credit roles. 21st Century Technologies, Inc. is familiar with Scott as he served as Relationship Manager to the company with Chase Manhattan Bank. In addition to Chase Manhattan Bank, he also served 10 years combined with First Interstate/Wells Fargo and Independent National Bank. In 1987, Scott graduated from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas with a BBA in Marketing. He also holds his Series 6/63 Securities License and Group I Insurance License.

In accepting his role of COO of 21st Century, Sheppard commented: "For almost 2 years, I had a front row seat to some of the challenges encountered by the company. Management has compiled a roster of products that have amazing potential, and has positioned those products for success going forward. Over the next few weeks, management will focus on identification of specific goals for sales and production within the core lines of business. Concurrently, evaluations will begin on the remaining lines of business to determine if they fit into the goals for the rest of the year and the long-term objectives of the company."

"For 21st Century to be profitable by year-end, improvement will be necessary on both sides of the income statement; with both increased revenues and expense controls for several subsidiaries. Changes required to make the company profitable, including specific changes in the way business is done and a disciplined corporate culture, are not always easy. However, it is my belief this can be accomplished in an atmosphere productive to employees that produces a realistic return to stockholders," Sheppard added.

"I am especially excited about the Trident Technology group of products (SeaPatch and ProMag). Final steps for efficient production of those products along with a new marketing campaign should prove interesting over the next 60 days."

Historically 21st Century has utilized a vertical manufacturing philosophy for all products. Sheppard stated that one of his early missions would be to explore synergistic advantages gained by outsourcing of high volume pieces in order to create capacity for the production of Unertl and Trident parts.

Sheppard also stated that Hallmark Human Resources, Inc., 21st Century's Professional Employer Organization subsidiary, has the potential to be a great producer for 21st Century, although it is not a traditional manufacturing business as are the Company's other subsidiaries. Sheppard said, "I believe our marketing partnership with Great Southwest Brokerage will be great for both parties. Independent Insurance Agents have always been respected as community leaders and for their level of expertise. With the traditional barriers in the insurance/finance industry being removed, Hallmark will fill a product gap for the agents that other financial entities are starting to explore."