StarNet Names New President and CEO

Ridgefield, CT, December 18, 2006--The board of directors of StarNet Commercial Flooring Cooperative, the largest member-owned cooperative of independent, commercial floor covering contractors in North America, has appointed Jeanne Matson as its new president and CEO. Matson is a highly seasoned senior executive with over 25 years of experience at senior level positions within Proctor & Gamble, most recently as general manager for Proctor & Gamble’s professional business. She will officially take on this new role in January 2007, and will work closely with outgoing president and CEO, Lori Dowling, throughout the transition. “Jeanne is a strategic thinker,” said Bob Sabosik, president of M.E. Sabosik, Associates, and chairman of StarNet’s Board. “Her unassuming manner and strong relationships, both with business associates and clients, set her apart. As she moves from her industry to ours, we look forward to her leadership in taking the StarNet organization to the next level of success.” “I’m honored and excited to lead this dynamic cooperative of commercial flooring contractors,” said Matson. "In identifying her initial goal upon stepping into the role of president and CEO, she said, “My top priority is to meet with all of StarNet’s members, vendors and business partners in the coming months.” Matson’s most recent responsibilities with Proctor & Gamble included overseeing the marketing, sales and educational activities within the organization. She was personally responsible for launching several key consumer brands, as well as managing Proctor & Gamble’s distribution channel of independent, entrepreneurial owners. Matson graduated with a business degree from Miami University of Ohio and received her MBA at Xavier University in Cincinnati. She currently resides in Darien, CT with her family. She is active within her community and sits on several Boards for local service organizations. “I’m thrilled to turn over the reins to Jeanne,” said Dowling, who played an integral role during the recruitment process and has been with StarNet for the past eight years. “The expertise and entrepreneurial spirit of our membership is unrivaled. And I will miss working with each of them.” Next year, along with pursuing other hobbies and interests, Dowling plans to spend more time with her family. Early in 1992, independent commercial flooring dealers recognized their resources could be strengthened through a national network combining their individual capabilities. This basic concept grew into the StarNet Commercial Flooring Cooperative which, with more than 150 independent contractors doing business in 230 of the top markets across North America, is the most professional, service-driven, commercial floor covering entity in existence today. Working closely with the leading floor covering manufacturers, StarNet has been able to reduce the costs related to doing business and create a combined annual volume of two billion dollars.

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