Sphera Names Michael Gold Chief Executive Officer and President [30th July 2003]

BOSTON, Jul 30, 2003 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Sphera, the leading global provider of Web hosting automation and management software today named Michael J. Gold to the position of President and CEO replacing Adi Pundak-Mintz, acting CEO. Gold assumes responsibility for the company's performance as Sphera continues to gain market prominence and pioneer solutions for service providers, Web hosting providers and carriers.

According to Pundak-Mintz, Gold possessed the qualities the company was looking for in a new leader. "We conducted a very thorough search to find the candidate that had the credentials, knowledge and vision to take Sphera to the next level," said Pundak-Mintz. "By the end of the process it was clear that Michael embodied the mix of experience and aggressive business philosophy that best match our goals and culture. We are confident that we will achieve even greater success with him at the helm."

Gold brings extensive Web hosting industry and service provider experience and a long history of leading successful companies and operations to his new role. Gold is the former Senior Vice President of Internet Products at Qwest, where he helped launch the company's full suite of IP products and services including the Qwest CyberCenter hosting business. Gold also served as President and CEO of Vicorp, Qwest's software subsidiary and as head of corporate and business development at Icon CMT Corp., a leading complex Web hosting and professional services company acquired by Qwest. Earlier in his career, Gold held a number of sales and business development positions in his seven years at AT&T.

"I am excited to join the Sphera team of world-class engineers in Israel supported by an impressive group of people in Europe, Japan and the U.S.," Gold says. "As its momentum shows, the company is doing an outstanding job of assessing market dynamics and delivering high-value solutions to the Web hosting industry. With Sphera ascending to industry leadership, my focus will be to build capacity and accelerate our rise with more aggressive sales, marketing and development efforts."

Gold will work to strengthen Sphera's U.S. headquarters, operations and national presence. Pundak-Mintz will reestablish his seat as a member of Sphera's board of directors and his responsibilities as a partner in Gemini Israel Venture Funds.

About Sphera

Sphera Corporation is a global leader in Web hosting automation and management software. Sphera provides value to over 100 hosting providers and their resellers through service differentiation, increased operational efficiencies, enhanced customer satisfaction and increased profitability. Sphera's HostingBusiness Suite(TM), which includes HostingDirector(R) and ResellerDirector(TM), delivers immediate ROI by generating new revenue opportunities, slashing costs and winning customer loyalty. Headquartered in Boston, with offices in London, Tokyo, Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel, Sphera is backed by well-established global venture capital firms including Jerusalem Venture Partners, TLcom Capital Partners, Gemini Israel Funds, Vision Capital, Bank of America and Reuters Greenhouse Fund. For more information, visit www.sphera.com, or call 1-866-SPHERA-1.

Sphera, HostingBusiness Suite and HostingDirector are trademarks of Sphera Corporation.

Media Contacts:
Robin Hodus
Sphera Corporation
617-614-1822
rhodus@sphera.com

Sandra Fathi
Affect Strategies
for Sphera
212 398 9680 x 141
sandra@affectstrategies.com

SOURCE Sphera Corporation