Career Control Group Among the Entrepreneural Leaders On This Year's Inc 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies; Career Management Firm Expands to South Central Texas.

Business Editors

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 2002

Career Control Group, Inc., the Southwest's largest independent career management firm, has been named one of America's entrepreneurial growth leaders by Inc magazine, which recently released its 2002 Inc 500 ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The ranking appeared in the magazine's Inc 500 issue, which hit newsstands October 15.

Career Control Group achieved some 775 percent growth in the past five years. Pioneering the concept of career continuation, Career Control Group has enabled thousands of individuals to develop strategic career goals and move to the next right job. Career Control Group began in 1984, and in September 2001, its parent company, Optimance, was created to give Career Control Group and its sister company, Workforce Strategies, a common name and brand.

"Inc magazine's prestigious ranking is a tribute to our entrepreneurial spirit," said Donald J. Hanratty, president of Career Control Group. "Each of our 50 professionals served our clients by listening first. Our team coached and mentored thousands of people to continue their career inside their existing company, to new employers or to their very own company."

Started in 1982, the Inc 500 ranks the nations leading entrepreneurial firms according to sales growth over the previous five years. From Inc 500 companies that have gone on to become household names include Microsoft, Timberland, Domino's Pizza and Patagonia.

The 2002 Inc 500 reveals a surprising resiliency within the entrepreneurial sector, where leading companies are continuing to show dramatic rates of growth despite the recession.

The average five-year growth of this year's Inc 500 companies is 1,521%. While that is less than the 1,933% average for companies on last year's list, it is nonetheless dramatic in the current environment. Average 2001 sales for the Inc 500 dropped only slightly, from $24,976,000 to $24,706,000. More than two-thirds (73%) of 2002 Inc 500 companies are profitable. Despite the technology bust, "Computer Software & Services" remains the leading industry category, representing nearly 40% of firms on the list.

"This is the first Inc 500 ranking to reflect the full impact of the recession," said Inc editor John Koten. "Yet these entrepreneurs are managing to confound the naysayer and move ahead despite the obstacles. They're showing that smart strategies can succeed even in the toughest of times."

To be eligible for this year's Inc 500, companies had to be independent and privately held through their first fiscal year 2001, have at least $200,000 in sales in the base year of 1997, and their 2001 sales had to have exceeded 2000 sales. Holding companies, regulated banks and utilities are not eligible. Inc verifies all information using tax forms and financials statements from certified public accountants and by conducting interviews with company officials.

New Career Control Group San Antonio Office

In a related announcement, Career Control Group has opened an office in San Antonio marking its first presence in the south central Texas market. Dr. Dan Hamel, who earned a baccalaureate degree in psychology from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Stanford University, was named managing director of the south central Texas office.

"We are expanding into San Antonio and Austin to fully serve our clients and increase our exposure to the entire south central Texas area," said Hamel. "This office is well positioned for us to help organizations in the heart of the central Texas business community optimize both individual and organizational performance."

About Career Control Group

Dr. Don Hanratty established Career Control Group in 1984 to help organizations manage change in a positive way, while helping individuals "take control" of their careers. Today, Career Control Group, a member of the Optimance family of companies, has grown to be the Southwest's largest independent career management firm. Pioneering the concept of career continuation, our alternative to traditional outplacement, Career Control Group has helped thousands of individuals make positive career transitions. Career Control Group is proud to be a member of Career Partners International (CPI), the world's most powerful partnership of career development firms, spanning the globe from Saskatchewan to Sao Paulo. For more information, call [phone] or visit www.careercontrol.com.