FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Pamela Cox
                Lee County Economic Development
                (941) 338-3161

Economist to Deliver State of the Economy Message

Tony Villamil to Address Horizon Council October 26

Fort Myers, Fla. (October 25, 2001)---Tony Villamil, Chief Executive Officer of The Washington Economics Group, will present an overview of the current economic environment at the monthly Horizon Council meeting on Friday, October 26.

Mr. Villamil recently served as Director of Governor Jeb Bush's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development of Florida. He has more than 25 years experience as a private business economist and as public official at both the Federal and State level.

Having served from 1989-1993 as the United States Undersecretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs in the administration of President George H. Bush, Mr. Villamil currently Chairs the Governor's Council of Economic Advisors and is a member of the Board of Directors of Enterprise Florida-the State's principal public/private economic development organization.

The Horizon Council meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at 2180 West First Street, 5th floor, Lee County Economic Development.

Mr. Villamil will be available for press interviews following his presentation at approximately 9:15 a.m.