Business Computerization Pioneer to Receive High Award From SRI International; Dennis Finnigan Among First to Identify Business Applications for Computers.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 11, 2002

SRI International, a leading independent research institute, has announced that Dennis Finnigan will receive the institute's prestigious Weldon B. Gibson Achievement Award for 2002 at a ceremony today. The award is given to an SRI staff member or team who has made a noteworthy impact on the improvement of the general standard of living and the peace and prosperity of society. Past winners include Doug Engelbart, inventor of the computer mouse, H. Edwin Robison, who was recognized for his work with developing societies and nations worldwide, and the SRI team who pioneered computerized banking in the 1950s.

Finnigan helped build SRI's pioneering techno-economic research group beginning in the 1950s, leading groundbreaking management projects for U.S. defense agencies and the private sector worldwide. His extensive management consulting for Swedish companies helped modernize and revitalize the European post-World War II economy. He was among the first to identify and implement business applications for the emerging technologies of electronic data processing and computer simulation.

"The foundations that Dennis Finnigan helped lay more than 40 years ago provided a solid base for the SRI programs that followed, and his commitment to improving the quality of life in the areas of the world where he was active set the standard for 'work with impact' that still motivates our international activities today. Dennis blazed a trail that others followed," said Curtis Carlson, SRI's president and CEO.

In the 1960s, as the industrialized world was converting from manual and mechanical data processing to electronic computers, Finnigan was a leader in the approach of "rationalizing" every process before it was programmed for the computer.

He helped lead the development of the first worldwide computer-based reservation system for SAS Airlines. This project brought together SRI, SAS, IBM, and other companies to create an online system for passenger reservations and management, resulting in a system that IBM took to other industries. In 1982, Finnigan was knighted by King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden and awarded the Royal Order of the North Star medal -- Sweden's highest civilian honor -- for his many years of contributions to Swedish commerce and industry.

Finnigan worked at SRI International from 1954 until 1981. He was executive director of SRI's Management Sciences Division during the period of its most rapid growth, and he concluded his career with SRI as vice president of international operations and marketing. He continued his relationship with SRI through the early 1990s as an advisor.

After leaving SRI, Finnigan co-founded the first voice mail service company in the United States, Voicemail International, as well as Voicemail Scandinavia and Voicemail Northwest -- which later became Encounter Collaborative Corporation, an audio and web conferencing service company where Finnigan is now chairman of the board. He has also served as a consultant to major companies worldwide, and served on several boards of directors.

About the Weldon B. Gibson Achievement Award

The Weldon B. Gibson Achievement Award (www.sri.com/strength/awards/gibson.html) was established in 1996 in honor of one of SRI's founders, Senior Director Emeritus Dr. Weldon B. "Hoot" Gibson, on the occasion of SRI's 50th anniversary. The award recognizes outstanding contributions by an SRI staff member or team that have had a noteworthy impact on the standard of living and on the peace and prosperity of society, and have added special luster to the reputation of SRI.

About SRI International

Silicon Valley-based SRI International (www.sri.com) is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded as Stanford Research Institute in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of clients for more than 55 years. The nonprofit research institute performs contract research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses and nonprofit foundations. SRI is well known for its innovations in information technology, telecommunications, engineering, pharmaceuticals, chemistry, physics, and the public policy areas of education, health, and economic development. In addition to conducting contract R&D, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships and creates spin-off companies.