NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2005 — Ken Favaro, chief executive of Marakon Associates, issued the following statement after learning of the death of Lew Platt, a founding member of the firm’s five-person Board of Advisors.

It was with deep sadness that we learned of Lew Platt’s untimely passing on Thursday, September 8th. Lew was an invaluable member of our Board of Advisors since its formation in 2002. He made a very significant and lasting contribution to Marakon through his depth and breadth of experience as Chairman of Boeing's Board of Directors, former CEO of Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates and as Chairman and former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, and through his leadership, intellect and thoughtful approach.

Many members of our firm had the pleasure of meeting Lew at our 2004 Worldwide Partner Manager Meeting and through his visits to our offices. He was one of those rare people who kept his feet on the ground while accomplishing amazing achievements.

It has been an extraordinary honor and privilege to have worked with Lew, and we will miss him greatly. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family.

For further information, contact Dave Fondiller at +1 212 377-5016 or dfondiller@Marakon.com.

About Marakon Associates: Marakon Associates is an international management consulting firm that works with some of the world’s best-known companies on the issues that most drive their performance and long-term value. The Economist has called it "a consultancy that has advised some of the world’s most consistently successful companies." Marakon has offices in New York, London, Singapore, Chicago and San Francisco.