New Board Members Add Financial and Internet Expertise as Geoworks Shapes
The Future of the Mobile Medium
ALAMEDA, Calif., February 1 /PRNewswire/ --
Geoworks Corporation (Nasdaq: GWRX), a pioneer in mobile data communications
services and technologies for the business and consumer markets, today
announced the appointment of three new members to the company's Board of
Directors. Kevin Fitzgerald, President and Chief Executive Officer of Neff
Corporation, offers extensive financial expertise through his investment
banking background while David Neylon, former Chief Operations Officer of
LookSmart, Ltd., brings insight into the Internet industry and mindset of the
interactive consumer. Stephen Baker, Geoworks Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer was also appointed to the board.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010124/GWRXLOGO )
"Kevin and David bring diverse backgrounds and experiences that Geoworks
will leverage to advance our mission of enabling businesses to deliver
mobilized Internet services for our customers, and Steve has been instrumental
in driving the changes that have repositioned Geoworks over the last year,"
said Dave Grannan, President and CEO of Geoworks. "Their combined counsel and
direction will be invaluable to Geoworks' executive team as we further define
the potential of the mobile medium."
Kevin Fitzgerald brings many years of finance and management experience to
the Geoworks Board of Directors. Fitzgerald is currently the President, CEO
and a Director of Neff Corporation, one of the largest equipment rental
companies in the United States. In his previous role as Senior Vice President
of the investment banking firm Houlihan Lokey Howard and Zukin, Fitzgerald
developed extensive relationships within the financial industry.
Additionally, he is a member of the Board of Directors of Supercanal Holdings,
S.A., one of the largest South American cable TV providers, and Vice Chairman
of the Board of Directors of Movilpage Communications, Inc., a South American
wireless broadband and paging services provider.
"As mobile communication devices become ubiquitous in today's fast-paced
world, Geoworks continues to bring innovative technology and services to the
business and consumer markets," said Kevin Fitzgerald. "I am excited to
contribute to Geoworks' expanding role as a leader in the wireless industry."
David Neylon is the former COO of LookSmart, a leading global Internet
search and directory company, where he held broad management responsibilities
for sales, engineering, new business development and syndication programs.
Prior to joining LookSmart, Neylon developed an interactive entertainment
community as the Senior Vice President at WorldPlay Entertainment, which was
subsequently sold to America Online. He also led Strategic Planning for
AT&T's Consumer Products division and many of their high-tech start-up
investments.
"Through my prior experience, I was able to develop strong operational
skills and background in the fast moving Internet context," said David Neylon.
"As the mobile medium shapes the future of the Internet, I look forward to
helping drive Geoworks to sustain a pivotal role within the convergence of the
Internet and wireless medium."
As Geoworks Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Baker is
responsible for the financial operation and strategy for the company. Baker
has more than 18 years of finance experience with publicly traded technology
and communications companies. Prior to joining Geoworks, Baker was Vice
President and Controller for Lucent Technologies and Octel Communications.
Before that, Baker was chief financial officer for the Software Systems
Group of Bell Communications Research, and for Unix System Laboratories, a
worldwide software company with revenues in excess of $100 million. Baker has
also held financial management positions with Novell, Inc. and AT&T Corp.
About Geoworks
Geoworks Corporation is a pioneer in wireless data communications services
and technologies for the business and consumer markets. The company's vision
is to enable mobile Internet access in the business to business markets. In
the business to business market, the company provides its server technology,
wireless industry expertise and consulting services to other technology
companies to further advance the mobile medium. Geoworks serves the consumer
market through Mobile Attitude, the company's branded mobile media and
commerce service, delivered to the growing universe of digital mobile phones
and pagers. By licensing its essential Intellectual Property Rights for the
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Geoworks supports the worldwide market
for mobile devices that enable people to easily and instantly access and
interact with information and services. Based in Alameda, California, the
company has international offices in Sweden, Japan and the United Kingdom, and
can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.geoworks.com .
In keeping with U.S. law, Geoworks notes that this press release includes
forward-looking statements, including the emergence of, and Geoworks'
participation in, the mobile services market. Actual results may vary
significantly due to various risks and uncertainties. Those include, but are
not limited to, the following: i) the mobile services market may not emerge
to the degree or timing anticipated; and ii) new technologies and new services
are inherently subject to development, timing and consumer acceptance risks.
Additional information is available in the Risk Factors and Business
discussions in the Company's Forms 10- K, 10-Q and other filings available
from the Company or from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE Geoworks Corporation
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