Utility Industry Expert Joins MSNBC As Technology Analyst For The Network's Millennium Coverage

PENN GROVE, NJ -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- 12/27/99 -- Rick Cowles, President of CSAmerica and one of the leading experts on the Year 2000 (Y2K) computer problem, has joined MSNBC as the Technology Analyst on Utilities for the network's millennium coverage. Cowles will impart his expertise on Y2K issues, problems and compliance.

Cowles, having specialized in the Y2K impact on the electric utility industry and microprocessor based control systems during the last several years, has provided high-level consulting and technical services to both government and industry worldwide. He has testified before congress and is the author of numerous articles on Year 2000 and the book, Electric Utilities and Y2K. Along with the website, Energyland.net, Rick's work is acknowledged, worldwide, as the authoritative discussions on the topic of Y2k in the electric industry.

Not a newcomer to the broadcast industry, Cowles has appeared on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered", as well as, NBC's "Today Show", and ABC News's "Nightline", and other North American media outlets.

"I am very pleased to be working with MSNBC during this critical period of time" says Cowles. "With the world's attention being riveted on this event, MSNBC's dedication to providing the most comprehensive coverage is very important to anyone who is concerned about the potential impact of the Y2K computer problem."

"For us, the important thing about Y2K is 'No surprises,'" said MSNBC's Executive Editor, Dennis Sullivan. "With experts like Rick Cowles on our team, we will be on top of every development."

"It is a natural fit," says Ronnie Beard, President of Beard & Associates, L.L.C., a communications-consulting firm. "Clearly, by securing the best available expertise, MSNBC has made a strategic decision to be the leader in providing in-depth news coverage of this critical event".

Beard & Associates negotiated the agreement between Cowles and MSNBC.

Mr. Cowles began his career in the commercial electric utility industry with Stone and Webster Engineering Corporation in 1980, after serving six years on nuclear submarines in the U.S. Navy. In 1983, he joined the Operations Staff at Public Service Electric and Gas' Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station. Over the next 15 years, he worked in the power generation, regulatory and business ends of the electric industry, as well as, having spent time on the shop floor, the board room, and in the control room.

CSAmerica, the parent company of Energyland.net, provides a variety of technology management consulting services and is partnered with a select group of management consulting organizations, such as The Cutter Consortium.

"Our strength is the development of management strategies, for energy-related companies, that are designed to educate, enlighten, enable and entertain potential customers - both inside and outside of the company," explains Cowles. "Energyland.net is the most visible product of this methodology".

CSAmerica's focus is building the organizational and management competencies that are necessary to understand, plan, and implement the customer-oriented elements of any information technology strategy.

MSNBC is a joint venture between NBC, a leading provider of news and information, and Microsoft, the leader in personal computer software and a major provider of Internet online services. Built on the worldwide resources of NBC News, MSNBC is a 24-hour cable news network and Internet news service at www.msnbc.com.

CSAmerica 35C South Broad St. Penns Grove, NJ 08069

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact: Ronnie Beard, Beard & Associates, L.L.C. Voice: 225-753-9127 Fax: 225-755-3626 Email: rbeard@eatel.net or Contact: Richard Cowles, CSAmerica Voice: 856-299-7936 x-205 Email: rick@csamerica.com or Contact: Cameron Blanchard, MSNBC Voice: 201-581-5012 Email: cameron.blanchard@msnbc.com

-- for real (for@real.com), December 27, 1999