Pittsburgh, PA, December 12, 2003—Edward J. Sheehan, Jr., Chairman of the CTC Foundation today presented Regional Development Grant Awards from the Foundation totaling $40,000 to 11 southwestern Pennsylvania organizations. The award presentations took place at a special ceremony held at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, hosted by NETL's Associate Director, James Ekmann. Of the nearly $400,000 granted by the Foundation in its four rounds of Regional Development Grant Awards, approximately half has been donated to Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organizations.

The organizations that have been selected by the CTC Foundation to receive grant awards are: Bethel Park Library to pay for final costs of a major renovation project that has greatly increased public use of the library; Forest Hills High School for the entry fee required for its participation in the FIRST Robotics Competition, which challenges teams of students and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard kit of parts and common set of rules; the Group Against Smog & Pollution (GASP) to fund the GASPer Air Monitor Program in the 2003-2004 school year, which assists teachers in meeting several sections of the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology, specifically those sections dealing with Environmental Health, Humans and the Environment, and Environmental Laws and Regulations; Jefferson Hill Library to update and enhance the science and technology collections; the National Technical Association (NTA), Pittsburgh Chapter for the 20th anniversary of the Charles Drew Science Fair 2004, a cooperative effort of the NTA, Urban Youth Action, and the Black Faculty and Staff Association at Carnegie Mellon University, to create an environment that encourages and supports young scientists; PA CleanWays, Inc. to purchase a new Windows 2000 server that will operate its vast informational infrastructure that enables effective operation of its home office and chapter offices; the Pennsylvania Environmental Council to support its Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards Program; the Pittsburgh Regional Center for Science Teachers for educational support associated with the Lewis and Clark Commemoration of Their Voyage and Discovery 1803-1806 that links natural and historical environments and aligns with both national and state academic standards; Pleasant Hills Library to purchase books and audio-visual materials focusing on the subjects of energy and environmental issues, divided equally between children's and adult materials; the Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise (PACE) to provide academic tutoring, a resource/technology support center, the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) Preparatory Course, and college/post-secondary orientation; and South Park Township Library to purchase current math and science materials, both print and nonprint, in view of the importance of students achieving state-mandated standards. In addition to these current grant awards, the Foundation has supported numerous other education and technology-based initiatives, including its multiyear contributions to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Science Bowl.

Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) established the CTC Foundation in 1998 to promote the application of innovative, scientific, technological and humanistic principles to enhance economic progress and the quality of life. In presenting the awards, Mr. Sheehan, who also serves as Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of CTC, noted, "These innovative projects funded today embrace many of the CTC Foundation's primary areas of focus, including education and training, advanced information technology, energy and the environment, and regional development. The success of the Foundation's efforts to address the immediate and long-term needs of people can only be realized through our work with grassroots organizations such as those recognized through these grants. We're proud that NETL is serving as our host today. NETL's dedication and commitment to advanced energy technologies, education, environmental stewardship and community service stands as a model for governmental involvement and success."

Also present at the awards ceremony was Dr. Edgar Berkey, Vice-President and Chief Quality Officer of CTC. Dr. Berkey stressed, "The CTC Foundation seeks to support a variety of organizations working to promote economic development and an improved quality of life in the regions where CTC conducts business." Mr. Ekmann added, "Being involved in the presentation of these awards is always a great pleasure. The efforts of the CTC Foundation provide much-needed support to key organizations that are dedicated to making a difference in southwestern Pennsylvania. NETL is pleased to continue as host of this ceremony and to continue being a focus for energy and environmental activities in this area."

CTC, the parent organization of the CTC Foundation, is an independent, nonprofit, applied research and development professional services organization that provides management and technology-based solutions to a wide array of clients representing state and federal government as well as the private sector. Established in 1988, CTC operates from 34 locations throughout the United States with a staff of over 1,200 employees.