SMALL BUSINESS "GAZELLES" RANK AS FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES

46 members of the Young Entrepreneurs Organization and it's graduate affiliate, World Entrepreneurs' Organization, make the 2002 Inc 500 List

Washington, DC - Recognized for outstanding leadership and success in business, 46 members of the Young Entrepreneurs' Organization (YEO), and its graduate affiliate, the World Entrepreneurs Organization (WEO), have made the annual Inc 500 list. YEO is the premier, peer-to-peer, global community, network and resource for entrepreneurs, and as such, its members are the driving force behind some of Americas fastest-growing companies.

The Inc 500 list, a respected benchmark of success, offers an exclusive report on the companies and CEOs who are changing the face of American business. To have been eligible for the 2002 Inc 500, a company had to be U.S.-based, independent and privately held through the companys 2001 fiscal year-end. The company had to have sales of at least $200,000 in the base year of 1997, and its 2001 sales must have exceeded its 2000 sales. The Inc 500 annually honors those businesses that are fueling the engine of growth and are well-positioned to grow into the next decade. "Its not surprising that our members are consistently being recognized as some of the top entrepreneurial talent in the world," said 2002-2003 YEO President Sean Magennis of Dallas. This is more proof that our members are indeed the success stories of business today, and the leaders of business tomorrow."

Nine members have repeated their appearance on the list from last year: Doug Harrison (San Antonio), Milan Patel (Philadelphia), Tim Handley (At-Large), Brett Hatton (Austin), Neal Rothermel (Indiana), Rick Skidmore (Philadelphia), Adam Eiseman (New York), Isac Ben-Schmuel (South Florida), and Brent Tilson (Indiana).

Harrison, whose company Scooter Store (#26) premiered on the list in 2000 at #204, then jumped to #67 in 2001, has made the list for a third time in 2002. I could not and would not have made it this far without the support of YEO and my Forum," says Harrison. One of the best educational things I do every year is to attend the YEO Universities. One of the best things that I have done in the past 5 years was to be president of our YEO chapter. It is really true that the more you put in, the more you get out."

An additional nine YEO alumni rounded out a strong representation from YEO, which represented over 10% of the list. For more information about YEO or WEO, this ranking, or any other of the organizations activities, please contact YEO International Headquarters at (703) 519-6700, or visit www.yeo.org.

About YEO

YEO is a premier, peer-to-peer, global network, community and resource for entrepreneurs. Since 1987 this international nonprofit, educational organization has helped its members build upon their successes through an array of learning and networking opportunities. With members in more than 142 cities, spanning 35 countries, YEO's rapidly expanding membership includes entrepreneurs from every size and type of business. YEO membership has increased rapidly, and now is at more than 4,700 members strong. Membership in YEO is by invitation only, and is subject to approval by both YEO International and the sponsoring local chapter. Prospective YEO members must be under 40 years of age and be a founder, co-founder, owner or controlling shareholder of a business with gross annual revenues exceeding (US) $1 million. Members graduate from YEO in the year they turn 40, and are encouraged to then join the World Entrepreneurs Organization.