NEOSA's James Cookinham Elected Chairman of CRITA, Council of Regional Information Technology Associations.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 12, 2003

Plans to Continue to Build CRITA as Vital Resource for

Developing High-Tech Regions

James Cookinham, President of NEOSA, the Northeast Ohio non-profit IT Industry trade organization, assumed the position of Chairman of CRITA (Council of Regional Information Technology Associations) on Aug. 2, at the CRITA annual meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. CRITA is a consortium of technology councils and associations that support and promote the IT industry in North America's leading high technology communities.

Also elected as CRITA officers were:

-- Joan Myers, President of NCEITA (North Carolina Electronics &

Information Technologies Association) as the Vice-Chair and

Secretary of CRITA and

-- Richard Nelson, President and CEO of UITA (Utah Information

Technology Association) as CRITA Treasurer.

Outgoing CRITA Chairman, Maxine Ballen, President of New Jersey Technology Council has agreed to help maintain the momentum developed during her tenure by remaining on CRITA's Executive Committee. Joining Mr. Cookinham, Ms. Myers, Mr. Nelson and Ms. Ballen on the CRITA Executive Committee are:

-- Greg Barratt, Communitech Technology Association - Waterloo,

Ontario

-- Tara Marlow, East Tennessee Technology Council - Oak Ridge,

Tennessee

-- Carolyn Stark, Austin Technology Council - Austin, Texas

-- Larry Wade, Software Association of Oregon - Portland, Oregon

-- Steven Zylstra, Pittsburgh Technology Council & Catalyst

Connection, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

"Since its formation 10 years ago, CRITA has quickly grown to the largest IT organization in North America, collectively representing over 22,000 technology companies," Cookinham said. "CRITA's leadership position enables the association, and its member organizations, to effectively champion issues and initiatives critical to growing bigger and better high-tech business communities throughout North America."

In addition to identifying and promoting public policy goals for the IT community, CRITA has developed an outstanding community of minds by tapping the leadership of local technology organizations. The intellectual capital and strength of shared community goals developed though CRITA are an incredible asset to CRITA members, and by extension to the IT companies they serve .

"CRITA member organizations share best practices to help their regions identify and improve resources to develop talent, capital and management - all critical components to building high-tech regions," Cookinham said. "There is no question in my mind that the IT community is the most significant economic driver in our economy - enhancing the ability of these companies to compete in a global market should be foremost in any enlightened business community and is the overriding mission of CRITA member organizations."

The Council of Regional Information Technology Associations represents more than 55 IT trade organizations who in turn represent more than 22,000 technology-related companies. CRITA's mission is to facilitate information, visibility, networking, and services for information technology-focused, not-for-profit member organizations - thereby enhancing and improving the business environment for Information Technology companies and the IT industry in the Americas.

For more information on CRITA, visit http://www.crita.org

For more information on NEOSA, visit http://www.neosa.org