Technology Pioneer Dr. Glenn Ricart Joins CenterBeam, Inc. As Chief Technology Officer To Help Revolutionize Small Businesses Use Of The Internet.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 1999--

CenterBeam, Inc.(TM), today announced that Internet pioneer Dr. Glenn Ricart has joined the company as executive vice president and chief technology officer.

"Dr. Ricart has over 30 years of networking and technology experience and is a widely recognized leader in the development of the Internet. We are very excited to welcome him to the CenterBeam executive team," said Sheldon Laube, co-founder and chief executive officer of CenterBeam, Inc. "He will be an invaluable asset."

Dr. Ricart comes to CenterBeam from Novell, Inc., where he was chief technology officer. In that position he was responsible for the technical development and architecture of the company's current technologies, as well as the creation of its technology future.

"Glenn has the vision not only to imagine, but to help deliver the full potential of the Internet to growing companies. His proven technological vision and ingenuity will help us deliver the full value of the Internet to our customers," added Laube.

Concurrent with Dr. Ricart's appointment, CenterBeam introduced a new service that is designed specifically for small businesses. It is a single package that provides all the elements needed for a complete small business solution -- hardware, software, Internet access, security, support and service. (See related release, "USWeb Co-Founder Sheldon Laube Launches CenterBeam, Inc. -- Offering The Booming Small Business Market The First `Truly Free' PC: Free In Cost, Free Of Hassle").

During his extraordinary career, Dr. Ricart has made significant contributions to many developments for the Internet. While at the University of Maryland College Park, he directed the Computer Science Center for 13 years and served as assistant vice chancellor. During this period, a ground-breaking technology emerged as Glenn's team designed and installed the first NSFnet backbone that connects the national supercomputing centers.

He also founded SURAnet, the first and largest of the NSF regional networks. Glenn managed the network for its first decade and guided it through several "Internet firsts." During his tenure, SURAnet became the first segment of the Internet that was open to commercial traffic and the first network to connect a high school to the Internet.

Prior to joining Novell, Inc., Dr. Ricart managed the Department of Defense's national research program in computer systems and communications research. At ARPA he created an innovative program that provided new types of "technological glue" that created interoperable computer systems. He also supervised ARPA's futuristic computer technology test bed and managed joint technology programs for the White House, including the White House home page.

In 1980, Glenn received his Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Maryland College Park. He holds a master's in computing and information sciences from Case Western Reserve University and a B.S. in engineering from the Case Institute of Technology.

About CenterBeam

Founded in 1999, CenterBeam, Inc. is dedicated to making the Internet work for small business. CenterBeam provides a total managed infrastructure that provides its customers with the most appropriate technology for their businesses. The privately held company investors include CrossPoint Venture Partners, Accel Partners, NEA, Microsoft Corp. and USWeb/CKS Corp. Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., the company can be reached at [phone]. For information on the company visit: http://www.centerbeam.com.