FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IC STARS ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The Honorable Brigid McGrath Transitions Chairperson Role to Director David Ormesher

CHICAGO, IL (October 17, 2006) – i.c. stars, a not-for-profit organization based in Chicago that provides technology training programs to inner city young adults, announced today that its board of directors recently transitioned the role of chairperson to director David Ormesher, founder and CEO of closerlook, a marketing solutions firm in Chicago. The Honorable Brigid McGrath (Circuit Court Judge of Cook County) has been the Chairwoman of the board since the organization’s founding in 1999.

i.c. stars, which stands for Inner City Computer Stars, was developed to strengthen the IT career opportunities and leadership potential of inner city young adults. i.c. stars alumni are earning up to $80,000 per year at companies such as Microsoft, Allstate, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hewitt and are doing web development, business analysis, and desktop support.
“The most profound moment for me as a board member was seeing the elation and pride in the friends and families of our first group of graduating interns, and realizing that i.c.stars impacts not only the intern, but everyone within his or her circle,� said McGrath, who will stay on as a board member.

Ormesher has also served on the board of directors since its founding. “Brigid has been an outstanding leader and has played a critical role in the success of this organization. We could not have asked for a more passionate, committed and insightful leader,� said Ormesher.

Ormesher’s company, closerlook, has enjoyed a seven-year partnership with i.c.stars and has underwritten all office and training facility costs of the program. As CEO and founder, Ormesher took closerloook from a small, creative media boutique and grew it into a recognized leader in creating innovative relationship marketing solutions that help clients in healthcare and technology get closer to their most important customer. He is also active on other non-profit boards, including the Guild Board of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Global Relief and Development Partners, an international NGO working to provide shelter and rebuild communities in areas of conflict and disaster.

Ormesher’s vision for the i.c. stars program includes stepping up the placement of graduates into business and IT roles in Chicago-area firms. Having graduated eleven cycles of graduates and proven the educational and mentoring model, the board is focused on scaling the program to serve more young people and to create an even greater impact on the communities in which they live. “One of the aspects of the i.c.stars program that makes it unique is the balanced focus on technology, business, and leadership training,� said Ormesher. “This is not an entry-level computer skills training program. Graduates have real-world, hands-on project experience, and many of our alumni are well on their way to becoming the next generation of business leaders.�

About ic stars

i.c.stars provides opportunities for inner-city young adults to harness the strength of technology for social and economic leadership. By integrating technology training and leadership development, i.c.stars is shaping the next generation of technology leaders. For more information about i.c.stars, call Tressa Thomas at (312) 640-3750, or visit us on the web at www.icstars.org.
###