COVITS 2005 to Feature Security Luminaries Tom Ridge, Dr. Robert Gates and Frank Sesno September 18-19-20, 2005.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia Secretary of Technology, Eugene Huang, today announced that Tom Ridge, the former Secretary of the Office of Homeland Security, Dr. Robert Gates, the former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Frank Sesno, CNN Special Correspondent, will participate in the Commonwealth of Virginia's Information Technology Symposium (COVITS) on September 19, 2005 at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia. VCU is the co-host of this year's conference.

"I am delighted that former Secretary Ridge, Dr. Gates and Mr. Sesno have agreed to participate in COVITS 2005. Their involvement in COVITS 2005 will add a unique dimension to the conference," said Huang. "Both the Governor and I are excited about hosting this year's event in Richmond. In addition to being the capital of Virginia, Richmond's history and culture, business climate and world class facilities will add to the continuing success of COVITS."

Now in its 7th year, COVITS is the signature annual Information Technology event for the Governor of Virginia, Mark R. Warner. The conference attracts over 1,000 senior executives from industry and government from over 20 states and 20 countries. The theme for COVITS 2005 is The Promise of Digital Government. Other renowned speakers from industry, government and academia will present and discuss challenges and solutions to enhancing government services, securing the homeland and planning for the future.

Tom Ridge and Robert Gates will participate in a panel discussion moderated by Frank Sesno. Tom Ridge brings a wealth of experience, wisdom and observations to COVITS 2005. As former Governor of Pennsylvania, and the first Secretary of the Office of Homeland Security, Secretary Ridge will share first-hand knowledge to the immense responsibility that government has to serve and protect its citizens.

Dr. Robert Gates presently serves as the President of Texas A&M University. Dr. Gates, the former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, adds a global view of security to the program. Dr. Gates has advised six US presidents. He has been in the "inner sanctum" as foreign policy was being forged and was an eye witness to world leaders in action.

Frank Sesno is an Emmy award winning journalist and the former Washington D.C. bureau chief for CNN. He presently serves as a CNN Special Correspondent. Acting as the moderator, Sesno will guide the panel discussion and interface with COVITS delegates to engage the panel members.

COVITS 2005 will take place September 18-20, 2005 in Richmond, Virginia at the Greater Richmond Convention Center and the VCU Siegel Center. The Jefferson and Omni hotels will serve as the host hotels. To register or for more information, visit the COVITS 2005 web site at: www.COVITS.org or call [phone].