FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Diego Ferrer, (312) 762-0111                                


Diego Ferrer, EKI’s co-CEO joins the board of directors of Project LEAD

May 1, 2004

About Project LEAD
Project LEAD  (Latino Education for the Advancement of Democracy) increases awareness within the Latino community about the importance of participation in civic and community affairs. Through outreach, education, and leadership development Project LEAD promotes democracy by encouraging citizens to organize for positive change within their community. Project LEAD operates on 1870 S. Blue Island Avenue, Suite 300 in Chicago. The office is based in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, a predominantly Hispanic area.

About Diego Ferrer
As co-founder and co-CEO of Electronic Knowledge Interchange (EKI), Diego Ferrer provides technical leadership and strategic direction for the company. He is in charge of Operations and manages Intranet and E-Commerce projects for various client accounts.

Diego has deep knowledge and expertise in leading edge technologies. He has been invited as  a featured speaker at several technical events and seminars with companies such as HolderBank International in Canada, Motorola in Phoenix and Lotus in Cambridge.

Prior to founding EKI, Diego led the Groupware consulting practice for Blackwell Consulting Services. Diego holds a Management Program Certificate from Loyola University in Chicago (Mini MBA). He also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronics Engineering.

Diego has a profound commitment to community service; he is particularly active in advancing educational opportunities for under-privileged minorities. He is a member of  Chicago United and serves on the board of several organizations, including Association of Latino Information Technology Professionals  (ALITP) and Youth Guidance.

About Electronic Knowledge Interchange
Founded in 1997 by Robert Blackwell Jr., EKI, a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) by the City of Chicago, had about $10 million in revenues in 2002. EKI has more than 70 employees. Blackwell Jr. and his partner, Diego Ferrer, have more than 35 years of technology and consulting expertise.