Contact: Scott Warner
703-744-7824
swarner@qorvis.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

QORVIS BOLSTERS TECHNOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS PRACTICE WITH ADDITION OF TWO SENIOR EXECUTIVES

Koelemay and Greenstein Add Potent Resources to Position Firm as the Dominant Force in Technology Communications in the Region

McLean , Va. , – April 28, 2003 – Qorvis Communications, LLC, citing the desire to emerge as the dominant communications firm in the region for technology public relations, today announced the addition of two senior executives with proven track records in technology communications.  Douglas Koelemay and Irwin Greenstein join Qorvis with a combined 54 years of experience in public relations, public affairs, government affairs and journalism.

"As we looked at the current marketplace, we realized that there is a significant opportunity for one firm to emerge as the clear leader for technology public relations in this region," said Doug Poretz, partner.  "It is our intent to be that firm, and there is only one way to do that: by adding great people.  With the addition of Doug Koelemay and Irwin Greenstein we have done precisely that."

Poretz noted that " Doug Koelemay is virtually a household name in the Washington technology region and broader business community."  He joins Qorvis from Williams Mullen Strategies, where he served as executive vice president and Chief Policy Officer.  At Williams Mullen he designed and directed problem definition, policy development, lobbying and public communications programs for business and non-profit clients, with an emphasis on technology companies and groups in the change space of the new economy.  He represented clients ranging from America Online to Motorola to Virginia Tech.

Prior to his role at Williams Mullen, Koelemay was the vice president of public affairs for the Northern Virginia Technology Council.  At NVTC he designed and directed innovative programs for the 22-employee trade association representing the technology industry in Northern Virginia's emerging world technology center.  He managed the government affairs committee, the public officials awards program and issues including Internet policy, tax policy, technology workforce development, economic development, capital formation and transportation.

Previous to NVTC, Koelemay founded Agenda Communications where he designed, directed and wrote strategic communications, marketing and legislative support programs.  Koelemay is also a former Congressional assistant, a foreign service officer and an editor and reporter.  He frequently contributes articles to technology and political publications.

According to Poretz, Greenstein "gives us an order of magnitude improvement in our ability to provide tech companies with public relations services such as product launches, product and service publicity and analyst relations."  Greenstein joins Qorvis from Plesk, Inc., a leading provider of data-center automation solutions headquartered in Northern Virginia.   Prior to Plesk, he spent 15 years in Silicon Valley, launching companies in communications, e-business and entertainment.  He has extensive experience in working closely with senior management on global public relations programs, branding and positioning, analyst relations and initial public offerings.

In addition, Greenstein is a former award winning editor and reporter covering all aspects of the electronics and communications industry in New York for leading news weeklies and monthly magazines

"This is an exciting time at Qorvis," added Poretz.  "So far this year we've added two new partners, six new clients, expanded our grass roots depth, announced increased revenues from the previous year and now have added two distinguished senior executives who will help to differentiate us in the market.  We aren't done.  We are deeply committed to earning the unqualified respect of our region's technology community, not just in the areas of investor relations and corporate positioning where we have always had a strong position, but also in those areas that contribute directly to increased revenues for our clients."

About Qorvis
Qorvis Communications is widely regarded as the largest independently owned public relations firm based in the Greater Washington, DC area.  Formed in August 2000, Qorvis has offices in Washington, DC and McLean, Virginia, and provides its clients with expertise in the areas of investor and financial relations, public affairs, grass roots campaigns, public and media relations, marketing communications and research and opinion surveys.  The Washington, DC based law firm of Patton & Boggs is an investor in and strategic partner to Qorvis.