Compaq Announces Three Senior Executive Appointments Worldwide Sales, Marketing, Service and Support; North America and Communications Products Groups.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 24, 1996--Taking another major step forward in its drive to become one of the top three global computer companies by the year 2000, Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) today announced the following three strategic appointments:

Richard "Dick" Snyder has been appointed Senior Vice President and General Manager, Worldwide Sales, Marketing, Service and Support Group, reporting to Eckhard Pfeiffer, President and Chief Executive Officer. This is a newly created position.

Reporting to Snyder will be Compaq's five geographic sales regions -- Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Japan, Latin America, and North America -- as well as Compaq's worldwide customer support functions. Snyder brings to his new role extensive computer industry and management experience at Hewlett-Packard and most recently at Dell Computer Corporation.

"This new worldwide sales, marketing, service and support infrastructure will significantly strengthen our brand, our global customer focus and customer engagement, as well as our service and support," said Pfeiffer. "Dick Snyder is uniquely qualified to lead these global initiatives."

Over the last year, Compaq has been rapidly building its networking products business and is now beginning to build additional businesses in remote access, modems, and other communications access products. Accordingly, in another strategic appointment, Compaq has named Alan Lutz as Senior Vice President and General Manager of a newly created Communications Products Group, reporting to Eckhard Pfeiffer. This new group consolidates all of Compaq's communications businesses including the networking products business.

Lutz brings to Compaq more than 28 years of high-technology experience and was most recently Executive Vice President and President, Computer Systems Group for Unisys Corporation. Before that, he was at Northern Telecom, Ltd. where he held the position of Group Vice President, Integrated Network Systems, and Corporate Senior Vice President and President, Public Networks. He has also served as Senior Vice President in Europe for ITT Corporation. "As computing and communications continue to converge, Compaq is stepping up its commitment to provide end-to-end networking solutions to our customers," said Pfeiffer. "Alan's broad communications experience will be a major asset in helping Compaq provide customers with access to people, information, and new ways of working together, whether across their enterprise or across the globe."

Compaq's largest market continues to be North America. Compaq has appointed James "Jim" Schraith as Vice President and General Manager North America, reporting to Dick Snyder. Prior to joining Compaq, Schraith was President and Chief Executive Officer of The Cerplex Group, Inc., a provider of technology outsourcing services. Before that, he was President and Chief Operating Officer at AST Research. "Jim's main challenge will be to extend Compaq's No. 1 market share position in this region," said Pfeiffer. "We look forward to drawing on his extensive marketing, sales, and service expertise. He will oversee sales, distribution, advertising, promotion, service and support for the company's products that are marketed in the U.S. and Canada."

Schraith replaces Ross Cooley, Senior Vice President and General Manager of North America, who has decided to retire from the company effective October 31, 1996. "I have known Ross for nearly a dozen years," said Pfeiffer. "He has been a key member of our senior management team and a consummate sales professional. I'd like to extend my sincere appreciation to Ross for the major contributions he has made to Compaq's success through the years."

Company Background

Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune 100 company, is the fifth largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of personal computers, delivering useful innovation through products that connect people with people and people with information. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices. Compaq is strategically organized to meet the current and future needs of its customers, offering Internet and enterprise computing solutions, networking products, commercial PC products and consumer PCs. As the leader in distributed enterprise solutions, Compaq has shipped approximately 1 million servers. In 1995, the company reported worldwide sales of $14.8 billion. Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products can be found at http://www.compaq.com or by calling 1-800-OK-COMPAQ. Product information and reseller locations can be obtained by calling 1-800-345-1518.

Compaq, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

CONTACT: Compaq Computer Corporation, Houston

Bob Beach, 713-514-1560

or

Miller/Shandwick Technologies

Donna Ruane, 617-536-0470