Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals Elects New Chairman; Snehal Desai of The Dow Chemical Company Named A.S.A.P. Chairman.

Business Editors

WELLESLEY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 2003

Snehal Desai was elected chairman of the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (A.S.A.P.) by a unanimous vote at the Jan. 31, 2003 meeting of its Global Board. Desai, formerly vice chairman of marketing for the Association and a founding member of its Board, succeeds Robert Porter Lynch, president of the Warren Company, who has served as the organization's inaugural chairman since its formation on Oct. 18, 1998. Lynch now takes the position as chairman emeritus.

According to Lynch, Desai has played an integral part in the growth of A.S.A.P. "Snehal has good vision and a vitality, which was evident this year in his leadership of A.S.A.P. Board Committees. I give Snehal 100 percent support in bringing new ideas to the table and moving the organization to the next generation," said Lynch.

Desai paid tribute to Lynch's recent chairmanship upon assuming his new role. "I believe we can build on the success achieved under the leadership and vision of Robert Lynch, which has positioned us as an innovator in the field of strategic alliances. We are fortunate that Robert has committed to continue in his role as an "activist" board member, allowing him the opportunity to focus on specific programs for the benefit of A.S.A.P," said Desai.

A.S.A.P. offers a number of value-added benefits to strategic alliance professionals, including local chapters, workshops, publications and its recently launched special interest councils. Priorities for A.S.A.P. in 2003 include extending the organization's reach and enhancing its financial foundation. A.S.A.P. is focused on increasing visibility to attract new members and offering effective resources and programs that will continue to engage current membership. It will also explore opportunities to leverage existing relationships and develop partnerships with other organizations, further strengthening its financial base and enabling continued innovative member resources.

Enhancing membership value is also a priority in 2003. A.S.A.P. will continue to expand its infrastructure through the development of additional chapters, councils and task forces that directly serve members needs. The organization will also focus on providing members with cutting-edge research, reports and benchmarking that illustrate ways to maximize the use of strategic alliances.

Desai brings a wealth of knowledge in maximizing business alliances to A.S.A.P., through his various roles at The Dow Chemical Company. As global director of e-business, Desai's primary responsibilities include formulating and executing Dow's overall new e-businesses agenda, and working closely with key partner companies to help achieve optimal implementation. He has recently accepted responsibility to define and implement a new operating model to increase efficiency across Dow's Chemicals and Performance Chemicals business groups as global project director for small customer management. Additionally, Desai led the validation and launch of Neolytica, a Web-enabled company launched in 2002, through Dow's new e-business development efforts.

About the Association of Strategic Alliances Professionals - www.stratetic-alliances.org

Based in Wellesley, Massachusetts, the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (A.S.A.P.) is a 501(c)(6) organization and the first membership organization exclusively dedicated to the strategic alliance profession. The Global Board comprises twenty-four people, considered leaders in the field of alliances (including William Lundberg, president and executive director). Its membership of seven hundred plus individuals, based in the US and overseas, represent a variety of industries including biotechnology, chemicals, computer hardware, software and services, consumer products, electronics, energy, financial services, healthcare and insurance. Global sponsors of A.S.A.P. include Accenture (NYSE: ACN), AllianceVista Corporation, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc. (NYSE: CSCO), Eli Lilly & Company (NYSE: LLY), GlaxoSmithKline, Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HPQ), Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL), Siebel Systems (NYSE: SEBL), Starbucks Coffee Company (NYSE: SBUX), The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), The Warren Company, and Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS).

By providing management resources, sharing best practices and supporting the development of those involved in strategic alliances, A.S.A.P. is committed to providing the professional and educational support executives and managers of strategic alliances need to be successful. Additionally, members have the opportunity to belong to, and participate in, regional chapters and council/special interest groups.