Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Top Sourcing Executive Joins Paladin Associates”

June 2009

Michael G. Clair has joined Paladin Associates Inc., where his strong operations and supply chain background complements their expertise in strategic sourcing and cost management. Clair was previously VP and Chief Procurement Officer for Earthlink, Inc., a top ranked national Internet Service Provider, where he established a best-in-class company-wide procurement and sourcing organization.Prior to that, he spent 31 years in a variety of financial, accounting, and operational leadership roles in four different divisions of GE, including Mgr of Operations for a National Repair Center & Technical Support Operation, VP of Operations for a National Test & Measurement Instrument business, and Global Supply Chain Manager for an Industrial Systems Engineering Services and Drive Systems manufacturing business.“We have known and respected Mike Clair for many years, and are excited to add his many skills to our growing business,” said Don Hoeppner, a Paladin Executive Partner, “He brings hands on expertise in a wide array of financial, procurement and general operating arenas, as our increasing customer base require innovative cost reduction support more than ever.”

“We are pleased to add still another world class expert to our expanding team of cost-reduction consultants”, remarked Bob Matthews, also a Paladin Executive Partner.

Clair holds a B.S. in Business Administration from The Citadel, in Charleston, SC, and is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and Certified Purchasing Manager. As a Senior Associate with Paladin, he will focus on Strategic Sourcing and other client engagements involving cost-reduction. He can be reached atMGClair@PaladinAssociatesInc.com.

Paladin Associates offers Sourcing-related cost reduction services in numerous categories, including Telecom, Energy, and Transportation, as well as other functional cost reduction in Finance, IT, Marketing & Sales, Energy, and HR. Paladin also provides Interim C-level Management in a variety of functions, such as Interim CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, CPOs, CTOs, CMOs, CSOs, Manufacturing, and CHROs.

About Paladin Associates Inc.:

Paladin Associates Inc. is an Atlanta-based management-consulting firm founded by former GE executives with over 600 years of financial and operating experience in numerous industries, specializing in productivity and profitability improvement. In addition to expertise in Strategic Sourcing and eSourcing, Paladin offers services in Telecommunications Sourcing, Financial Management, Marketing & Sales Productivity, Mergers & Acquisitions Support, IT Management, HR Productivity, Manufacturing Efficiency, Energy, and Interim C-level Management.

For more complete information, visit: www.PaladinAssociatesInc.com

Press contact:

Patrick J. Horgan, Partner
pjhorgan@PaladinAssociatesInc.com
770-395-9156 or 404-276-4506(cell)