Comdisco Names Jackson President of Availability Solutions Division; Keohane Resigns as Division President.

Business Editors

ROSEMONT, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2001

Comdisco, Inc. (NYSE:CDO) today announced that John A. Jackson, 53, has been named president, Availability Solutions Division, for Comdisco. Jackson, a 17-year veteran of Comdisco, had been serving as president of the company's Continuity business unit since 1999. He replaces Jeffrey P. Keohane, 38, who resigned from the company after seven years in various management positions in Comdisco's leasing and technology services operations.

In his new position, Jackson will have responsibility for all of Comdisco's Availability Services worldwide, which include Continuity Services, Web Services and Storage Services. He will also have executive management responsibility for the company's 50 Technology Services Centers, its Professional Services Organization, and product development and sales for all of Availability Services.

"John has been an integral part of the management team for Comdisco's services businesses for almost two decades," said Philip A. Hewes, Comdisco's president and chief executive officer. "With his in-depth knowledge of the industry, organizational know-how, and focus on customer satisfaction, John is the right person to lead our services business as we move forward."

Jackson has progressed through a series of management positions in Comdisco's services business since he joined the company in 1984 as director of consulting to found the company's Professional Services Group. From 1997 to 1999, he served as executive vice president, Technology Services Division, responsible for more than 200 professionals in business continuity and asset management consulting, advanced technology solutions, and software product development. Prior to that, he served as managing director in Europe, responsible for Comdisco's Continuity and Professional Services organizations in the U.K., France and other countries throughout Europe. Before that, he was vice president of Operations for the Continuity unit, responsible for all of Comdisco's North American Recovery Centers, and supported more than 200 recoveries during his tenure.

Prior to joining Comdisco, Jackson founded and managed the information technology and disaster recovery consulting practice for Chi/Cor Information Management and was a senior consultant for KPMG Peat Marwick. He has more than 30 years experience in IT related positions.

Jackson holds a B.A. degree in business management from DePaul University in Chicago. He is a frequent speaker on the subject of business continuity and high availability, and is an advisory board member to the dean at DePaul.

About Comdisco

Comdisco (www.comdisco.com) provides global technology services to help its customers maximize technology functionality, predictability and availability, while freeing them from the complexity of managing their technology. The Rosemont, (IL) company offers a complete suite of information technology services including business continuity, managed web hosting, storage, and IT Control and Predictability Solutions(SM). Comdisco offers equipment solutions to key vertical industries, including semiconductor manufacturing and electronic assembly, healthcare, telecommunications, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and manufacturing. Through its Ventures division, Comdisco provides equipment leasing and other financing and services to venture capital backed companies. The company's revenue for the 12 months ended December 31, 2000 was $3.9 billion.