Hamilton Named President and Spencer Executive Vice President of Freedom Scientific BLV Group.

Business Editors

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 12, 2002

Freedom Scientific Inc., the global leader in technology products for those who are blind, announced today the appointment of Dr. Lee Hamilton as president of its Blind/Low Vision Group, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., and his election as member of Freedom's board of directors.

Freedom also announced that Sharon Spencer, vice president of U.S. sales and marketing, has been promoted to executive vice president. Richard H. Chandler will continue as chairman, president and CEO of Freedom Scientific, headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., and will also oversee the company's Learning Systems Group, located in Palo Alto, Calif.

Dr. Lee Hamilton received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Purdue University and a BSEE from Virginia Tech. After serving as a professor of electrical engineering at The Ohio State University, he joined Motorola, where he was director of the Wireless LAN Product Group and then general manager of the Systems Transmission Products Business. Most recently, he was the president and CEO of AirNet Communications Corp., a technology start-up he took public in 1999 (NASDAQ:ANCC).

Chandler said, "Lee Hamilton has a strong business and technical background and a proven track record running technology-based businesses. He will be moving to St. Petersburg and providing the leadership needed to integrate our software and hardware technologies and develop the next generation of new products."

Sharon Spencer joined Henter-Joyce in 1999. Previously she had spent 17 years with IBM Corp., advancing through a series of positions in systems engineering, sales, and customer service management and after that three years at Tech Data as vice president of customer services and training. She has been responsible for launching Freedom Scientific's "Dealer First" program and for introducing a series of innovative marketing and customer initiatives such as Freedom's Technology Scholarship Program, Product Advisory Board and sponsorship of Erik Weihenmayer, the blind conqueror of Mt. Everest.

Commented Chandler, "Sharon Spencer's promotion recognizes the stature she has gained in our industry both as an outstanding sales and marketing executive and as an impressive advocate for the blind within corporate, government and non-profit circles."

Freedom Scientific develops technology products for the blind/low vision and learning disability markets and sells them in the U.S. and more than 50 foreign countries. Its products include: JAWS for Windows, the world's leading screen reader; Connect Outloud Web access software; MAGic magnification software; Open Book scanning software; WYNN for students with reading difficulties; notetakers; Braille displays; and embossers.