Industry Veteran Added to Executive Team 

JUNE 19, 2009                                                                                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROSWELL, Ga.  – Firestorm Solutions LLC, a national leader in business continuity, vulnerability analysis, communicable illness planning and crisis management, announced today the appointment of veteran business continuity professional Ann Pickren as Executive Vice President/Solutions.

In the newly created position, Pickren will have oversight of delivery of all client services and ensure the continued best-practice application of Firestorm’s Predict. Plan. Perform. methodology.

Pickren, with more than 16 years in the business continuity sector, said the people-centric approach of Firestorm (www.firestorm.com) was one of the attributes that attracted her to the company.

“I believe in Firestorm’s focus on the individual and the humanitarian side of every disaster. We look at the employees of every company we deal with and how they will be impacted,’’ she said. “‘Every Crisis is a Human Crisis’ is more than just a catch phrase.’’

Pickren, who has been involved in all aspects of business continuity, including risk assessment, plan development/testing and crisis management, also cited the presence of the Firestorm Expert Council and the emerging factor of Public Law 110-53 (Title IX-Private Sector Preparedness), which requires business continuity planning in the private sector to a FEMA certification level.

“I see the caliber and status of the members of the Expert Council as a way to help bridge the gap between public-sector preparedness and private-sector preparedness,’’ she said.

Firestorm provided the on-site crisis management support at Virginia Tech after the tragic shootings in 2007. Its Expert Council includes Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honorè (U.S. Army, ret.) and former U.S. Surgeons General Dr. C. Everett Koop and Dr. David Satcher. Firestorm recently began awarding franchises to better address the distinct local vulnerabilities and preparedness gaps that exist nationwide.

“Having Ann on our executive team adds exceptional depth and breadth of experience in these critical areas,’’ said Firestorm President/COO James W. Satterfield. “Firestorm, its franchisees and its clients will benefit from her presence as we continue to prepare for imminent risks such as the current flu pandemic, exposure to natural disasters, increase in intellectual property theft and ongoing economic instability.’’

Satterfield can be reached at (800) 321-2219 ext. 211 or jsatterfield@firestorm.com. For more information on franchises, contact Executive Vice President Hutch Hodgson at (770) 643-1114 or hhodgson@firestorm.com. Media inquiries should be directed to Mike Pennetti at mpennetti@firestorm.com or (678) 557-9243.