EQUATERRA ACQUIRES AVANTI ADVISORY TO ADD SENIOR EXECUTIVE-LEVEL
IT OUTSOURCING ADVISORS TO TEAM

HOUSTON (October 30, 2006) — EquaTerra, a multi-national outsourcing and insourcing advisory firm, today announced it has acquired Avanti Advisory, LLC, an outsourcing advisory firm founded in 2001 by Peter Iannone, past president of TPI.  The acquisition will add a team of senior executive-level IT outsourcing (ITO) advisors to EquaTerra’s already robust ITO practice.
            Since its inception, Avanti has advised clients in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia-Pacific with outsourcing transactions totaling more than $20 billion.  The firm focused on assisting its client throughout each stage of the outsourcing lifecycle, as does EquaTerra.  The two companies share a similar client-focused vision based on flexibility, speed and a customized – versus a prescribed – approach to transformation, making it a highly synergistic acquisition.
            Several key Avanti executives joining EquaTerra as a result of the acquisition include:

• Peter Iannone – Prior to founding Avanti, Peter was president of sourcing advisory firm TPI.  There, he led teams that assisted clients in sourcing transactions including:  United Technologies Corporation in a global multi-billion dollar deal with CSC; AT&T in a multi-billion dollar transaction with IBM Global Services; and Ryder System, Inc. in its successful billion dollar, full-scope agreement with Andersen Consulting and IBM Global Services.  Before TPI, Peter managed various aspects of JP Morgan’s complex global technology services, and was the first COO of the company’s global technology and systems division.  Before leaving the bank, he was the lead negotiator for its multi-billion dollar outsourcing transaction.  Peter has been named EquaTerra’s Global IT practice lead.
• Joseph Zanko – Joe has more than 25 years of expertise in the technology and outsourcing industries.  Prior to Avanti, he was Vice President of ePierce Solutions, responsible for its managed services, hosting services and outsourcing solutions offerings.  Before that, he was Senior Technology Officer of JP Morgan’s Private Banking Division, responsible for all aspects of the division’s complex global technology.  His experience at JP Morgan also included technology management associated with the bank’s outsourcing projects.
• Mike Leszczuk – Mike has more than two decades of leadership experience in IT and services outsourcing, with a primary focus on the public sector. 
• Dennis Krien – Dennis has 30+ years of expertise in the technology field, primarily within the financial services industry.
• Jerry Klawitter – Jerry has a comprehensive technology-focused background, with expertise in business continuity and information security, and as a technology financial controller and technology/business relationship manager.

      Mark Toon, President and CEO of EquaTerra, said, “Avanti and EquaTerra help clients focus on critical business issues, thus speeding up a time-intensive process that will add significant value to our IT-oriented clients.  We are honored to welcome them to our team.”