November 10, 1997, Ottawa, Canada: Four senior technology executives have joined forces to create a premiere high technology business mentoring company. Headquartered in Ottawa, Reid Eddison Inc opens its new office this week to provide practical hands-on 'business mentoring' for Canada's technology executives.

"The Canadian high technology marketplace is growing rapidly and short of experienced 'business builders,'" says Peter Reid, company cofounder. "Our intent is to work with technology executives seeking to help their organizations reach the next level."

Founding company partners include Peter Reid, Peter Eddison, Fiona (Rochester) Hennessy, and Arlen Bartsch. The founders share common experiences building rapid growth technology companies. Each partner has a unique perspective on managing accelerated growth through global demand for technology products and services. The founders have built organizations to manage these demands and each participated in the transition from private to public enterprise. By providing technology executives with these 'real world' business building experiences, the partners believe they can help companies organize for growth, create effective marketing strategies, develop stronger brand awareness, cultivate an internal marketing culture, organize effective media/public relations and implement successful channel programs.

"In a fast paced environment technology executives don't often have time to learn from their mistakes," says John Reid, President of the Canadian Advanced Technology Association. "By providing a perspective on growth, Reid Eddison Inc will be able to help technology executives navigate through critical decision-making and accelerate the timeframe for global business success."

With first time financing across Canada in 1996 at nearly $680 million, up from less than $400 million in 1995, the opportunity to assist developing technology ventures is a burgeoning new market. Reid Eddison Inc. is involved with company's past the startup stage and typically pre IPO. Although employee size and revenues vary, the firm is focused on organizations that are already committed to an advancing customer list and are organizing for growth. The partners intertwining skills in the areas of finance, engineering, sales, marketing, public relations and management are comprehensive. "

Reid Eddison Partner Biographies

Peter Reid spent almost twenty years as a senior financial executive in the information technology industry, working with startups, "SME's" and larger public companies. In his capacity as CFO and VP Finance of Fulcrum Technologies Inc. from 1986 -1996, Peter was responsible for the entire range of finance functions including private and public placements in Canada and the US. He was also responsible for a wide range of other executive functions including Human Resources, Information Systems, and Strategic and Operational Planning. Prior to Fulcrum, Peter was Vice President, Controller for Nabu Manufacturing Corp, an independent consultant, and a senior manager with Price Waterhouse. He worked in public accounting in Canada, Australia and South Africa.

Peter Eddison has almost thirty years experience in the information technology industry as a software developer, project manager, marketing executive, and entrepreneur. A co-founder of Fulcrum Technologies Inc., Peter served as the company's VP Marketing from 1983-1995, and as VP Strategy and Business Development from 1996-1997. During that time Fulcrum grew from a six person startup to a public company with approximately $60 million in revenues from operations throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Prior to Fulcrum, Peter was VP Commercial Systems Engineering at Nabu Manufacturing Corp., a co-founder and partner of Mobius Software Limited, and an independent consultant with assignments in Canada, Europe, and Asia.

Fiona (Rochester) Hennessy worked at Corel Corporation from 1988 to 1996. As Director of Corporate Communications from 1991-96 she built an in-house public relations organization (20 employees) which managed worldwide media coverage for the company and its products. During this time, Corel products won almost all comparative reviews and garnered over 250 awards from trade publications around the world. Fiona established an industry-wide reputation as an ambassador for the company. Press and industry analysts regard her as forthright and indispensable Fiona's earlier positions at Corel included Manager of Strategic Partner Marketing, Senior Product Specialist for CorelDRAW and Software Applications Instructor. Prior to Corel, she was a college instructor of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics. Fiona serves as a board member for the Brian Smith Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps disadvantaged children and young adults develop to their full potential through education, sports and recreation.

Arlen Bartsch worked at Corel Corporation from 1988 to 1996. As Executive Director, Worldwide Sales & Marketing, he guided the development of Corel's software distribution channels, strategic alliances, and built the company's marketing organization. During his tenure the company grew from $14 million to $335 million in sales. Arlen created a centralized business model that allowed the company to move quickly to achieve 90% marketshare in the graphics category. He built the graphics product into a 6 million user franchise and worked with Corel President and CEO, Mike Cowpland to coordinate the turnaround for WordPerfect after the 1996 acquisition from Novell. Arlen's earlier positions at Corel included Product Specialist, Marketing Manager, and International Sales and Marketing Manager. Prior to Corel, Arlen was a technology consultant at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. He is the cofounder of internet technology startup, i/us Corporation and serves as an Advisory Board Member with Algonquin College's Technology Marketing Program and with the Ottawa Carleton Research Institute's Technology Marketing Forum (Zone 5ive).

For more information:
Fiona (Rochester) Hennessy
Reid Eddison Inc.
Suite 610, 56 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5A9