Control Data CEO Named Minnesota High Tech Executive of the Year.

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 1998--Control Data Systems CEO James Ousley today was named Executive of the Year by Minnesota High Tech Association.

A panel of seven judges representing high tech companies from across the state selected Ousley over other outstanding Minnesota executives. The judges cited Ousley's distinguished leadership of Control Data and praised his efforts to help the state's high tech industry.

In addition to creating the new Control Data, a global E-business company, Ousley has helped regional business and academic leaders come together to address the shortage of information-technology workers in Minnesota. The regional effort includes plans to boost local college recruiting efforts, enhance computer science programs at area colleges and universities, and recruit skilled labor from California's Silicon Valley.

"Jim has shown exemplary leadership in reducing the skills gap in the Minnesota high tech workforce," said Rick Krueger, President of the Minnesota High-Tech Association (MHTA). "He put together a significant state-wide conference that brought industry and education together, and he has shown continued interest in translating those ideas into actual solutions."

Ousley joined Control Data Corporation in 1968 as a sales representative. Since then, he has held a variety of sales, marketing and operational executive positions. He became CEO of Control Data Systems in 1992, when the company spun off from its parent, Control Data Corporation.

"The Minnesota High Tech Association, together with the state's business community and educational institutions, have an excellent opportunity to address the critical shortage of skilled resources in Minnesota," Ousley said. "I've been happy to help bring these groups together to focus on this serious problem."

The MHTA handed out ten other awards at the awards ceremony. Other categories included employment quality, education, and entrepreneurship.

With more than 650 corporate members, the Minnesota High Tech Association has become an effective and credible voice for the growing Minnesota technology industry. The Association serves as a catalyst for government officials, educators and business executives to create initiatives that will enable Minnesota and its high-tech industries to flourish. The MHTA works to make Minnesota the best state in the nation for technology-based industry.

Control Data Systems, Inc. is a global information services company that delivers electronic commerce and systems integration solutions. For more information, call 1-888-742-5864 in the U.S. (1-651-415-2999 internationally) or visit our web site at www.cdc.com.