Veber Partners announces John Herman as Strategic Partner.

Portland, Oregon – July 20, 1999 – Veber Partners announced today that John Herman will be joining the firm as a Strategic Partner. Current Strategic Partners at Veber include Harry Strauss and Jeff Harbaugh.

Herman is the former CEO and Owner of Duffel Sportswear, Inc. He was also the CEO and Owner of InSport Activewear from 1979 until 1995. In 1995 he became the Principal for Herman Development Company, and continues this position at present. Herman has been the Managing Partner at Jepco Development Company since 1991 and a was a Partner at Danner Shoe Manufacturing Company from 1989 to 1996. From 1982 to 1986 Herman was the CEO of Sperry Topsider Apparel. From 1968 to 1979 he worked in the Marketing and Merchandising department of the White Stag Manufacturing Company, and previous to that he worked in the Marketing department of Jantzen, Inc.

Since 1993 John has been the Honorary Consulate of Belgium to Oregon and Idaho, and has been a member of the Oregon Consular Corps. He served as Vice Dean from 1997 to 1998 and now serves as Dean. Since 1991 Herman has been a University of Oregon Foundation Board Member. He served as President from 1996-1997 and Chairman from 1997-1998. Since 1996, Herman has been a member of the University of Oregon Athletic Advisory Committee. He also served as Vice President of the Multnomah Athletic Club in 1989, and as the 100-Year Centennial Chairman from 1989-1991. John has been a board member and on the finance committee for the 1998 World Masters Games, and currently serves as a member of the Endowment Committee for the Trinity Episcopal Church. He is an Oregon Sports Hall of Fame Board Member and serves as a Trustee for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Portland. Herman has also filled several positions for the Multnomah Athletic Foundation. He served as Board Member and as President of the Oregon Club of Oregon, served as Board Member and Chairman of the Raleigh Water District and Served as a Board Member for the Aurora Colony Historical Society until 1998. Herman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Oregon.

"John has a strong track record in the wholesale apparel industry, making him an excellent knowledge source for Veber Partners," said Gayle Veber, Managing Partner at Veber Partners. "We're extremely pleased to welcome him as a member of our strategic team, and look forward to working closely with him."

Veber Partners, LLC was founded in 1994 and is one of the premier private investment banking firms in the Pacific Northwest which focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private placements, fairness opinions, valuations and other financial advisory services. It operates in five primary sectors including technology, healthcare, manufacturing/distribution, consumer/retail and business services. Visit Veber Partners on the World Wide Web at http://www.veber.com.