STAMFORD, CONN., October 23, 2002 Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT and ITB), the world's leading technology research and advisory firm, announced today that James C. Smith, Chairman of the Board of First Health Group Corp. (Nasdaq: FHCC), has joined Gartner's board of directors.
Smith, 61, is widely known and respected for his strategic vision and company-building skills. In 2000, Smith was appointed Chairman of the Board of First Health after leading the company through nearly 20 years of record growth and financial performance as President and CEO. Smith, who joined First Health in 1984, built the company into the nation's premier full-service national health benefits company, with revenues of nearly $600 million in 2001. Under Smith's leadership, First Health has been very successful in developing and maintaining long-term relationships with large national clients, maintaining a client retention rate of 96% over the last decade.
"We are extremely pleased to welcome an executive of Jim's caliber to the board," said Michael D. Fleisher, Gartner Chairman and CEO. "His extensive operating experience, strategic insight, and client service orientation are an excellent match for Gartner's immediate and long-term opportunities."
Smith replaces Kenneth Roman, 72, who is retiring from Gartner's board and who has been named director emeritus. Roman is the former Chairman and CEO of Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, where he worked for 26 years. He joined the Board in July 1999.
"On behalf of everyone at Gartner, I'd like to sincerely thank Ken for his counsel and service," said Fleisher. "He has been an exceptionally dedicated and effective board member."
Smith joins current Gartner board members Michael Fleisher, Gartner Chairman and CEO; Anne Sutherland Fuchs, Executive Vice President, LVMH; William Grabe, General Partner, General Atlantic Partners; Max Hopper, Principal, Max D. Hopper Associates; Glenn Hutchins, Managing Director, Silver Lake Technology Management; Stephen Pagliuca, Managing Director, Bain Capital; David Roux, Managing Director, Silver Lake Technology Management; Dennis Sisco, Partner, Behrman Capital; and Maynard Webb, COO, eBay, Inc.
About Gartner
Gartner, Inc. is a research and advisory firm that helps more than 10,500 clients understand technology and drive business growth. Gartner's businesses consist of Gartner Research, Gartner Consulting, Gartner Measurement and Gartner Events. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and has 4,000 associates, including 1,200 research analysts and consultants, in more than 90 locations worldwide. Fiscal 2001 revenue totaled $963 million. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.
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