(Note to media only: Dinah Lewis can be reached at 303-699-2037)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: William H. Hammond, County Administration
              (239) 335-2221

LEE COUNTY HIRES NEW HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR

FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 2, 2004) - Lee County Administration announced today that Dinah Lewis, a former city manager, government administrator, and human resources director in Colorado, has been hired as the county's new Human Resources Director.

Lewis currently is a director with Earth Tech Inc.'s Financial and Economic Consulting Group. Her experience includes seven years as Director of Internal Services for the City of Aurora, Colorado and three years as city manager of Greenwood Village, Colorado. In both positions she oversaw the human resources functions. She also practiced law as a private attorney for 10 years.

Lewis is an attorney and certified public accountant, and holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and law degree, both from the University of Denver.

Lee County Human Resources manages the records, employee relations, benefits, staffing and compensation of Lee County Government's 25 departments and divisions and 2,400 employees.

Lewis was one of three finalists who interviewed for the job last Thursday (July 29). A screening committee made up of Public Works Director Jim Lavender, Human Services Director Karen Hawes, Dick Ackert, president of SouthTrust Bank, and Steve Shimp, president of Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., forwarded Lewis on to County Administration for final consideration. Lewis will start September 1.