ANNOUNCEMENT – December 6, 2004

STI Holding, LLC Announces Two New Partners to Open STI Offices in Atlanta and Dallas

New Partners in Atlanta and Dallas Doubles Size of Nation's Largest Executive Talent Representation Firm

LOS ANGELES, Calif. December 6, 2004 – STI Holding, LLC (www.sti-1.com), the nation’s largest executive talent representation firm, today announced its expansion into Atlanta and Dallas with the addition of two partners: Paula Dumas, President of STI Atlanta, and Jane Batts, President of STI Dallas.

Paula Dumas joins STI Atlanta from Eastman Kodak, where she was Vice President of Industry Marketing, and VP of Brand and Market Development. There, she shaped the company’s growth strategy in the infoimaging industry, and revitalized the brand for the digital marketplace. She’s forged alliances for Kodak with Disney, Forbes, the IOC, the National Parks and established The Kodak Theater, home to the Academy Awards. Dumas is active in the Atlanta community, leading the Atlanta CMO Roundtable, serving on the board of the Career Women’s Fellowship, and guest lecturing at Goizueta Business School and Spelman College.

Jane Batts joins STI Dallas from Warnaco’s Calvin Klein Swimwear division, where she was Vice President of Sales. Previously, Jane spent more than 22 years in a variety of top-level executive positions in wholesale apparel. She was responsible for the successful launch of The Sunset Beach swimwear collection, as well as the GUESS? and Rampage swimwear lines. During her 18 years at Beach Patrol, she launched a new product line every 2 years. She also founded the W.G. Haft chain of retail stores, growing one unit to a successful 30-store retail operation within 5 years.

STI's Los Angeles based Chairman and Founder, Neal Lenarsky said, “These two new partners solidify our position as the leader in this rapidly-growing category. Paula Dumas is a recognized branding and marketing expert, and has an outstanding 20-year track record of success as a marketing executive for The Walt Disney Company, Apple Computer, Turner Broadcasting and Frito-Lay, and Jane Batts is a noted wholesale sales executive who has built and run the wholesale divisions of some of the best-known brands in the business, including Calvin Klein Swimwear, Sunset Beach, Guess? Swimwear and Beach Patrol. She also founded and ran a chain of 30 retail stores. Both partners have a unique human capital strength that will add to our firm’s overall growth strategy. Each of them have demonstrated a strong desire to help others reach their potential in their respective careers, and will leverage their networks and strategic approach to do the same for our clients.”

Said Paula Dumas: “Over the past eight years, STI has established itself as the recognized leader in executive talent management, and I am delighted to be joining the company. Navigating the waters in corporate life can be tricky, particularly when you’re aspirations don’t match the current realities of the executive employment landscape. STI is known for steering their clients clear of the icebergs, and helping them find the land of success.”

“Looking ahead to 2005 and beyond,” said Batts, “executives will be taking advantage of renewed economic growth to make strategic career decisions, and I am thrilled to offer my 25 years of executive experience in building lasting business relationships to STI’s clients as they make those critical employment transitions.”

STI's New York based Chief Executive Officer Adam Bauman concluded, "With Paula Dumas and Jane Batts joining the company, STI can now offer its support to executives on a truly national level in five key cities across the country. STI acts as an executive’s career partner as they transition within their own industry or across industries, helping to define their career strategy, identify their next role and increase their personal brand awareness.”

About STI Holding, LLC

STI is widely considered a pioneer in the executive talent management category, shepherding the careers of C- and VP-level talent in corporate America. Unlike traditional recruiting firms that represent companies and their vacancies, STI represents senior level executives who want to accelerate their careers in the entertainment, technology, publishing, fashion and retail industries. While client identities are confidential, they include top executives with The Walt Disney Company, The Gap, NASCAR, National Geographic, Mattel, Blockbuster, The New York Knicks and Gemstar / TV Guide. STI also helps its clients build their own companies, such as First Fireworks Group, Style365 and Miracle Assistant. STI often assists private equity and venture capital groups in structuring executive teams for new companies, and supports the executive search community with confidential access to highly qualified candidates. STI was founded in 1996, and provides a range of personalized services including Personal Branding, Visibility Assessment, Leadership Coaching, Industry Marketing Plan, Compensation Structuring and New Business Support Services to executives in five major cities: Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Atlanta and Dallas.

Source: STI Holding, LLC

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For more information:

Name: Stacey Normandy
Phone: (800) 455-2147
Email: stacey@sti-1.com
Web: www.sti-1.com