HP/Compaq Design Chain & Supply Chain Expert Joins Design Chain Associates

Design Chain Associates, LLC announced today that Tom Valliere, former Procurement Manager for Compaq Computer Corporation, now Hewlett Packard, has joined DCA as a Senior Vice President and Partner. Tom's roles in DCA will include developing the Procurement Management practice, expanding the Software Supplier practice, and managing the Acquisition Integration and tactical Component Engineering practices.

San Francisco, California - June 13, 2002 - Design Chain Associates, LLC announced today that Tom Valliere, former Procurement Manager for Compaq Computer Corporation, now Hewlett Packard, has joined DCA as a Senior Vice President and Partner.

"Tom brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, insight, and relationships to DCA which is unparalleled and of extraordinary value to DCA and its clients", said Mike Kirschner, President of DCA. "With over 14 years of experience at Compaq, and over 30 years total experience in the industry, Tom's insights into the challenges of product development, outsourcing, tools, supplier relationships, and techniques for managing them all brings an incredible level of knowledge which, tempered by Tom's practical approach, catapults DCA to pre-eminence in the field of Design Chain consulting".

While Tom's primary responsibilities at HP were in semiconductor procurement where he managed an annual spend of approximately $1 Billion, he also served many secondary roles. These included ISO standards development, SAP implementation, SRM software development, and component reliability. Tom led the component integration effort following the acquisition of Tandem Computers and Digital Equipment Corporation that resulted in a single worldwide AVL system and common processes and tools for managing components and suppliers.

Tom also served as the procurement representative on the quality improvement team that resulted in Compaq's winning of the prestigious Texas Quality Award in 1997.

"I am very excited about joining Mike Kirschner and his fine team at Design Chain Associates", said Tom. "This is an opportunity to utilize the skills and tools that I have honed with large OEMs to bring competitive advantages to small and medium companies. DCA has the right people, talents, and vision to make a significant contribution to the industry in this increasingly important area."

Tom's roles in DCA will include developing the Procurement Management practice, expanding the Software Supplier practice, and managing the Acquisition Integration and tactical Component Engineering practices.

About Design Chain Associates, LLC

Design Chain Associates, LLC provides consulting services to Electronics Original Equipment Manufacturers and software providers. DCA focuses on the Design Chain, which defines and sets up the Supply Chain. DCA brings strategic value to clients through "Best Practice" process and methodology guidance on supplier and component selection, qualification, and lifecycle management. DCA also provides other core services relating to corporate acquisition integration; "womb-to-tomb" Component Engineering support; and software tool assessment, configuration guidance, and user education. San Francisco-based DCA has a presence in other high-tech regions of the country such as the Austin/Houston corridor and the Boston region. Visit DCA on the web at http://www.designchainassociates.com.