F. Dixon Brooke Jr. Becomes President and CEO of EBSCO Industries, Inc.

BIRMINGHAM , ALA. , June 29, 2005 -- After almost 35 years as president and chief executive officer (CEO) for EBSCO Industries, Inc., J.T. Stephens’ term will conclude July 1, 2005 . At that time, F. Dixon Brooke Jr., chief operating officer, will become the third individual to serve as president in EBSCO’s 61-year history.

To prepare for the change in leadership, Brooke has served as EBSCO’s chief operating officer since July 1, 2004 . “I am honored by the opportunity to assume greater responsibilities with EBSCO. I’ve been fortunate to work with two very positive role models during my time here and have learned a tremendous amount under the leadership of Elton Stephens and Jim Stephens. I will strive to continue the emphasis our company places on profitable growth,” Brooke said.

Stephens’ career with EBSCO officially began in 1965. He became president in 1970. During his years as president, he guided the company his father, Elton B. Stephens, founded through major growth to its current status as a worldwide organization. He became chairman of the board in 2002 and will continue to serve in that capacity after July 1, 2005 .

“I am retiring from full time July 1, 2005 , and will commence blended activities which certainly will continue to include EBSCO, its operational activities, its strategic direction, its customer care outlook, its commitment to constant positive improvement, its determination to be a good place to work and hopefully its growth and financial well-being,” Stephens said.

Brooke has been with EBSCO for 32 years. He became general manager of EBSCO Subscription Services’ Birmingham regional office in 1974. In 1980, he became general manager of the three subscription service centers: Publisher Services, Title Information Department and Information Systems and Services. In 1987, he assumed additional responsibilities as general manager of EBSCO Subscription Services in the United States and Asia and began overseeing the division’s advertising and sales promotion activities. In 2002, all of EBSCO Subscription Services, including the European offices, came under Brooke’s management as well as EBSCO’s General Services Group of business operations. Brooke is a member of EBSCO’s 100% and 200% SALES CLUBs and the EBSCO Founder’s Club.

“Dixon and I have known each other since the late 1960s. His record with EBSCO speaks for itself and comes from great energy, a willingness to and pleasure in work, a like of people and working with people in an organization, a willingness to be accountable, and excellent business skills,” Stephens said. “ Dixon ’s determination, skill, good sense, and the fact that he is from and of EBSCO will help him manage very successfully.”

Stephens said he is pleased that a smooth transition is planned. “I am delighted that our next president comes from within, and that is how I hope it will always be,” Stephens said. “I have not managed precisely as my father did. We are different people. Dixon will not manage precisely as I have. What counts will be basic consistency, results and harmony,” Stephens said.

 About EBSCO Information Services
EBSCO Information Services provides libraries and research centers with online and print journal subscription services, e-resource access and management services, full-text and secondary database development and access, an OpenURL-compliant link resolver, online book purchasing and related information services. EBSCO maintains a title database of more than 298,000 serial titles and upholds relationships with more than 78,000 publishers around the world.

EBSCO’s 32 Regional Offices worldwide are staffed with personnel who speak the local language and understand the particular challenges faced by librarians in their areas, offering a uniquely personal level of service. Specialized divisions serve academic, biomedical, government, public, school and special libraries as well as corporations.