WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Nov. 12, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq:UNTD), a leading Internet service provider that commenced operations in September 2001 with the merger of NetZero and Juno Online Services, today announced the appointment of Kenneth L. Coleman to its board of directors. Mr. Coleman brings extensive expertise to United Online, previously holding top positions at Silicon Graphics, Hewlett-Packard and Activision. The election of Mr. Coleman raises the number of United Online board members to six.
"The addition of Ken Coleman to United Online's board of directors strengthens our management team and brings an enormous amount of business experience and intellectual capital to our company," stated Mark R. Goldston, chairman, CEO and president of United Online. "Ken is a dynamic individual with a wealth of high-tech industry knowledge and it is an honor to have him working on our side."
Mr. Coleman was most recently the executive vice president of global sales, service and marketing for Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) until his retirement in June 2001. He joined SGI in 1987 and had played several important roles in the company's growth over the years, managing an organization with some 4,000 employees in 184 offices in 37 countries. Mr. Coleman oversaw all sales functions, product and services marketing and corporate marketing. During his tenure with the company, the company's sales grew to $2.3 billion.
Prior to joining SGI, Mr. Coleman was vice president of product development at Activision, Inc., responsible for software development activities. Earlier, he spent 10 years at Hewlett-Packard Company, where he held several management positions.
Mr. Coleman is a member of the board of directors for Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. and MIPS Technologies and is the recipient of many honorary awards. In 1999, he was named one of the "10 most influential African Americans" in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, he was selected to the Silicon Valley Hall of Fame and received a distinguished alumni award from The Ohio State University business school. Mr. Coleman earned a B.S. degree in Industrial Management and an MBA from Ohio State University.
Members of the United Online board include Mark R. Goldston, United Online's chairman, CEO and president, James T. Armstrong, managing director of Clearstone Venture Partners, Robert Berglass, former chairman, CEO and president of Schwarzkopf & DEP, Jennifer Fonstad, managing director of Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Dennis Holt, chairman and CEO of Patriot Communications.
About United Online
United Online is a leading nationwide Internet Service Provider (ISP). The company commenced operations in September 2001 as the result of its acquisition of NetZero and Juno Online Services -- two of the leading Internet access brands in the United States and Canada. Through its subsidiaries, United Online offers both free and value-priced Internet access services in more than 5,000 cities. The company is headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., with offices in New York City and Hyderabad, India. United Online's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the ticker symbol "UNTD."
For more information about United Online and its Internet access services, please visit www.unitedonline.net.