Boeing Subcontractor Named NASA's Minority Contractor of the Year.

Business Editors & Aerospace/Defense Writers

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2002

GB Tech Inc., a key Boeing subcontractor for the International Space Station, or ISS, has been recognized by NASA as its 2002 Minority Sub-Contractor of the Year. The honor is NASA's highest award presented to a Small Disadvantaged Business and Minority Business Enterprise.

During special presentations in Washington, D.C., Gale Burkett, GB Tech president and CEO, explained the significance of this honor along with his company's partnership with Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, a business unit of The Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA).

"We are honored to be recognized by NASA for our role on the International Space Station," Burkett said. "This helps validate our company as being a solid player toward the development of this very complex and ambitious space project. Our association with Boeing is instrumental in helping our company gain the expertise needed to achieve this level of success."

GB Tech is one of Boeing's premier suppliers on the space station. The company works closely with Boeing to identify and document potential hazards to the crew and equipment on the ISS and the Space Shuttle. Through analyses and tests, safety engineers at GB Tech have been instrumental in providing predictions on the reliability and maintainability of hardware and software components, as well as real-time analysis during critical stages of a mission.

"Boeing is committed to the Small Business and Minority Business Enterprises. GB Tech has been a long-term supplier to Boeing and we are very proud that NASA selected our nomination," said Russ Carroll, director of Supplier Management & Procurement for NASA Systems, a principal business unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "We continually strive to exceed NASA's Supplier Diversity expectations."

GB Tech is among four Boeing subcontractors to earn national recognition from NASA. The engineering and software development company has headquarters in Houston and rates among the top 100 minority-owned firms in the Houston area. Offices are also located in California, Florida, and Mississippi.

NASA Systems, based in Houston, is a business unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems and is NASA's prime contractor for the International Space Station and responsible for design, construction and integrating the components. The company also supports NASA in operating the ISS. Boeing was also the manufacturer and developer of the space shuttle fleet, the world's only reusable and human-rated spacecraft. Boeing is a major subcontractor to United Space Alliance for space shuttle operations and support.

A unit of The Boeing Co., Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. With headquarters in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $23 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers.

It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.