Cingular Wireless' Dan Lafond Joins eBusiness Research Center Advisory Board

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA (March 22, 2005)—Dan Lafond, vice president and general manager of the Greater Philadelphia market for Cingular Wireless, has joined the advisory board for the eBusiness Research Center (eBRC) at Penn State's Smeal College of Business.

The eBRC works to foster, expand, and disseminate e-business research to corporate sponsors and the broader business community. The eBRC advisory board provides guidance to the director and staff and helps set the overall strategy for the center.

"As the newest member of the board, Dan brings with him invaluable perspective on e-business and specifically wireless communications," said Nirmal Pal, eBRC executive director. "His insights will be crucial as the role of the center continues to evolve."

Added Lafond, "Cingular is very pleased to continue the positive and long-standing relationship with Penn State, which began several years ago with AT&T Wireless. I am looking forward to working on many exciting projects with this advisory board as we explore the ways wireless and other technologies can further enhance e-business."

The newest member of the eBRC advisory board held a variety of senior management positions at AT&T Wireless prior to the company's merger with Cingular Wireless in 2004, including Lafond's most recent assignment as vice president and general manager for Cingular's Greater Philadelphia market. Before joining AT&T, he was involved in business sales for Bell Atlantic Mobile, which is now Verizon Wireless.

Cingular's reach in the Greater Philadelphia market, for which Lafond is responsible, extends outward from metropolitan Philadelphia to include Delaware, central and southern New Jersey, parts of northeastern Pennsylvania including Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, and central Pennsylvania including Harrisburg and State College.

Lafond holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from LaSalle University in Philadelphia and is a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania.