ROGER G. BYFORD OF VOCOLLECT WINS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR® AWARD Wins In Tech Category in Western Pennsylvania -- Heads for National Competition

Roger G. Byford, chief technology officer for Vocollect, Inc., the global leader in speech recognition technology for warehousing and industrial applications, is this years winner in the Technology Category of the 2003 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Western Pennsylvania. Byford, company co-founder and chairman of the board, was chosen from a strong group of nominees in the Technology category, and joins local winners in five additional categories for 2003 -- Business Services, Financial Services, Emerging Enterprises, Manufacturing/Consumer Products and Master Entrepreneurs.

PITTSBURGH, PA (PRWEB) July 5, 2003 --- Roger G. Byford, chief technology officer for Vocollect, Inc., the global leader in speech recognition technology for warehousing and industrial applications, is this years winner in the Technology Category of the 2003 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Western Pennsylvania. Byford, company co-founder and chairman of the board, was chosen from a strong group of nominees in the Technology category, and joins local winners in five additional categories for 2003 -- Business Services, Financial Services, Emerging Enterprises, Manufacturing/Consumer Products and Master Entrepreneurs.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award was launched in 1987 -- the same year Vocollect began -- and honors outstanding entrepreneurs whose ingenuity and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures. Local winners were selected by a blue-ribbon panel of judges from a group of 24 finalists, who were chosen from 60 nominees. Byford and the other winners from Western Pennsylvania are now entered in the National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Competition. The national awards ceremony will be held November 23 in Palm Springs, Calif. Winners from that competition go on to participate in the world event, which draws participation from some 35 countries around the globe.

Mr. Byford was nominated for the honor by Carl A. Cohen, a shareholder at Buchanan Ingersoll attorneys, who has served as corporate counsel to the growing company for more than 15 years. In his nomination, Cohen gave high praise to Byford for his tenacity, integrity and leadership. Roger has the personal and professional qualities that make him a most deserving candidate -- hes honest, energetic, hardworking and selfless, and he remained committed to fulfilling his dream when most others would have folded their tents and moved on."

Not one to seek the spotlight, Byford shared the credit and the award with his colleagues during his remarks at the gala awards dinner -- and invited them all to hold the date of July 7, 2037 to celebrate Vocollects 50th anniversary. I cant begin to express how honored I am to receive this award," said Byford. We knew from the beginning we were onto a technology that could have significant industrial application. To be recognized for following our passion is a tremendous honor, indeed. But I would not be here without all the dedicated and hardworking people who have helped us turn that passion into a reality and who have turned Vocollect into a world-class company."

Jack LeVan, Vocollects president and CEO, praised Byford for putting the companys best interests at heart by having the selfless determination to build the company to $30 million, while arranging for his successor as president of the Company. Most entrepreneurs would never share leadership just at the point when the business was poised for strong growth and profitability, but thats exactly what Roger did," said LeVan.

He embodies the best qualities of successful builders of businesses. He is a visionary and an innovator who holds to his vision steadfastly and invests himself completely in its realization. But with Roger, these characteristics blend seamlessly with the important human qualities that are more rare in true entrepreneurs. He wants the rewards of Vocollects success -- both financial and psychic -- to be shared fully with all our employees and shareholders. Roger does not compromise his principles or integrity -- ever -- for any rationale or expediency. And his ego does not need, or seek, recognition for his accomplishments."

Mr. Byford has nearly 20 years experience in the industrial application of speech technologies. As Vocollects CTO, he is involved in all aspects of the design and engineering of Vocollects voice-directed distribution systems. Prior to starting Vocollect, Mr. Byford served as engineering manager for Westinghouse Voice Systems, known for pioneering work in voice technology applications. He also worked for Westinghouses corporate Research and Development Center, where he collaborated to develop a voice-based access control system for apartment building elevators. A registered professional engineer, he holds one U.K. and three U.S. patents, and earned his MA in Electrical Engineering from Cambridge University.

Vocollect, a privately held company headquartered in Pittsburgh, is the global leader in wearable computers employing speech synthesis and speech recognition technology for warehousing and industrial applications. The company has developed and installed voice-directed systems since its start in 1987.

Today, tens of thousands of Vocollect Talkman software applications and terminals are installed throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Vocollect and its global network of resellers and integrators provide Talkman® systems and on-site support for customers in inventory-driven industries such as grocery wholesale and retail, supermarket, foodservice, conveniences, beverage, health & beauty, general mass merchandise and medical/pharmaceutical.

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