U.S. Chamber Names New Board Member

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce has elected John S. Chen, president, chairman and chief executive officer of Sybase, Inc., to the board of directors of the world's largest business federation. Since joining the company in 1997, Chen, a California resident, has overseen Sybase growth in database license revenues and market share in the emerging mobile and embedded computing arenas. He will serve a two-year term on the 100-person board.

"John Chen brings more than 20 years of high tech leadership and international business experience to our board, which will strengthen the Chamber's ability to move on its agenda – including promoting greater economic growth and recovery and advancing sensible regulatory reform. As a Silicon Valley leader, John will also be able to help guide our efforts to encourage growth and expansion in the critical US technology sector," said Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue.

Sybase, headquartered in Dublin, California, pioneers software that integrates platforms, databases and applications. Chen sets the strategic direction for the company and plays an integral role in developing relationships with customers, partners and stockholders. Prior to joining Sybase as president in 1997, Chen was president and CEO of Siemens Nixdorf's Open Enterprise Computing Division. He has also held management positions at Pyramid Technology Corporation and at Unisys/Burroughs.

"I want to focus on issues that are most critical to my peers in technology areas throughout the United States, including trade and intellectual property rights protection and economic growth," said Chen. "Technology innovation has been one of our economy's most powerful engines, and stronger ties between the technology sector, other US business sectors and government will make a critical difference in promoting innovation and improving the performance of our economy overall."

Chen currently serves as a member of the board of directors for CIT (formerly Commercial Investment Trust) and as the vice chairman of the Committee of 100. In addition, he is sits on the board and is a member of many distinguished professional associations including Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Business Solutions Alliance, Watson Institute, and the NYSE Listing Advisory Committee.

The Committee of 100, a powerful group of nationally visible Asian Americans that promotes stronger ties between the U.S. and China, awarded Chen the 'Entrepreneur of the Year' in 1998. And the Overseas Chinese Association awarded him the 'Distinguished Asian American Businessman' for his professional accomplishments in the high technology industry.

Board members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce meet three times annually and are responsible for approving the Chamber's overall policy and strategy. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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