FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:  Pete Winton, Lee County Administration
                        (239) 335-2777

                       Jeff Mielke, Lee County Sports Authority
                       (239) 344-5201

LEE COUNTY EMPLOYEE RECOGNIZED AS FOURTH GRADUATE OF NATIONAL SPORTS PROGRAM

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2003) -- Gary Ewen, Sports Development Manager of the Lee County Sports Authority, has been recognized as a Certified Sports Event Executive (CSEE) through a nationwide program recently created by the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC). The project united the NASC with the University of Kentucky Sports Marketing Academy (UKSMA) in order to raise standards of professionalism in the sports industry.

As an NASC member, Ewen attended several continuing educational sessions for the prestigious title. The modules provided cutting edge knowledge of the sports event industry, including both instructional and practical applications. After the two-and-a-half year process, Ewen has been recognized as the nation's fourth graduate.

An alumnus of Springfield College in Massachusetts, Ewen holds a bachelor of science degree in community services, and has been employed with the county for 19 years. He is also a Certified Tour Professional (CTP) with the National Tour Association (NTA) and a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional. Ewen has recently completed a two-term position on the Board of Directors with the NASC.