Novell Names Thomas G. Plaskett to Board of Directors

Thomas G. Plaskett, the former chairman, president and chief executive officer of Pan Am Corp* and former president and chief executive officer of Continental Airlines*, has joined Novell's board of directors, effective November 1. Plaskett brings significant senior executive and management expertise to Novell, having served in critical board and executive positions for Pan Am and Continental, as well as Greyhound Lines, Inc.*, as those companies wrestled with change and challenging business conditions. He also adds valuable marketing and finance experience gained as senior vice president of marketing and senior vice president and chief financial officer at American Airlines* and AMR Corporation*. With the addition of Plaskett to its board, Novell gains strong leadership and experience that will be critical as the company continues to transform itself and take the lead in the secure identity management, Web applications development, and cross-platform services markets.

"With the election of Tom Plaskett, we add proven leadership and executive talent to Novell's board of directors, and hands-on experience with bringing about positive change in large organizations," said Jack L. Messman, chairman, president, and CEO of Novell. "When you also take into account Tom's expertise in marketing and finance, it is evident what a valuable addition he is to our board. We're eager to benefit from the contributions Tom will be able to make to Novell's strategy and business plans going forward."

Plaskett, 58, has served since 1991 as managing director of Fox Run Capital Associates,* a private merchant banking and consulting firm focusing on advisory and consulting services for emerging companies. Previously, he was chairman, president and chief executive officer of Pan Am Corp, parent of Pan American World Airways, from 1988 to 1991, and president and chief executive officer of Continental Airlines from 1986 to 1987. Also, during the period from 1974 to 1986, he held several senior management positions at American Airlines and AMR Corporation, including senior vice president of marketing and senior vice president and chief financial officer. Plaskett was elected to the board of directors of Greyhound Lines, Inc. in May 1994 and served as interim president and chief executive officer of the company in late 1994. He was elected chairman of the board in 1995 and served in that role until the company was sold in 1999. He is currently a member of the board of directors of RadioShack Corporation*, Smart& Final, Inc.*, Probex Corp*, as well as several privately held companies. He is currently a Trustee, and was formerly Chairman of the Board of Trustees, of Kettering University in Flint, Michigan. Plaskett holds an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from Kettering University.

Plaskett becomes Novell's eighth board member, joining board chairman Messman and Elaine Bond, Fred Corrado, Richard Nolan, John Poduska, Sr., James Robinson III, and Carl Yankowski.