Cooke to Join MediForce.

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 21, 1998--A. Curts Cooke, 61, former president, chief operating officer and director of Russ Berrie and Company Inc., has joined MediForce Products Inc., a division of MediForce Inc. (OTCBB:MDFC) as a special consultant.

The announcement was made by Michael F. Cox, founder of MediForce Products Inc., which manufactures and markets the patented Bio-Back. Cooke will serve in a consultant role, with primary responsibilities in the area of marketing and finance.

"We are delighted that Curts has consented to work with MediForce Products," said Cox, adding "his unique talents and wealth of experience will be of great benefit as we work to build this business."

Cooke has more than 40 years of business experience, particularly in the area of finance. For the past 16 years, he was affiliated with Russ Berrie and Company, a $291 million NYSE company that markets a diverse line of some 6,000 everyday and seasonal gift products to retail stores internationally. Cooke joined Russ Berrie in 1982 as vice president finance, administration and a director and became president and chief operating officer in 1990.

Prior to joining Russ Berrie, Cooke was affiliated with Beecham Inc. as vice president-general manager of the Pan American Unit, where he was responsible for operations in 18 Latin American countries. At Beecham he also was vice president finance and before that general manager for Beecham's USA cosmetic business. He came to Beecham from General Foods Corporation, where he had served in financial positions, including controller and director of planning and analysis and treasurer for the Burger Chef Systems and as audit supervisor for the corporation. Cooke began his career as an auditor at Price Waterhouse and Company, and quickly advanced to senior auditor and audit manager.

Cooke holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Lehigh University of Bethlehem, Pa., and is a certified Public Accountant.

He is very active in his home town of Upper Saddle River, N.J., serving as a director of the Bergen County Council of Boy Scouts, where he was president in 1995-96, Tommorow's Children, a non-profit organization for children with cancer, and the Public Affairs Research Institute.

MediForce Products Inc., which is an innovative worldwide source for cost effective and durable orthopedic and ergonomic devices, is a division of MediForce Inc., a holding company that consists of MediForce Products Inc., General Environmental Technologies and other companies.