Irene Dec Selected A Computerworld Premier 100 ITLeader for 2000.

Business & Insurance Editors

NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 2000

Prudential Vice President Irene Dec has been selected by Computerworld magazine as one of its Premier 100 IT Leaders.

"For the Premier 100, Computerworld set out on a groundbreaking, ambitious

project to define who the most influential `IT Leaders' are and what makes them tick," said Maryfran Johnson, editor-in-chief of Computerworld. "The unique leadership that Irene Dec has demonstrated this past year fit the criteria for her to be counted among Computerworld's Premier 100."

Dec and the other Computerworld Premier 100 members are listed in a special report in the magazine's May 8th issue that defines who "IT Leaders" are and their challenges and philosophies.

"We are extremely proud of Irene," said William Friel, senior vice president and CIO of The Prudential Insurance Company of America. "Her outstanding performance directing our companywide Y2K compliance project is indicative of the initiative, dedication, and enthusiasm that define her character. We couldn't be happier that Irene is getting this much-deserved recognition from Computerworld for her leadership qualities."

Dec and the other listees will be honored at a gala awards dinner at Computerworld's Premier 100 IT Leaders Conference, June 19-21, at the Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, California.

"I am delighted to receive this honor for myself and for the many hundreds of business and IT professionals at Prudential who worked so diligently to ensure that Y2K was a non-event for our customers," said Dec. "I thank them for their commitment and I thank Computerworld for this honor."

Dec is also listed among the "People to Watch In 2000" in the insurance industry by Best's Review and was profiled by Women in Technology International for its 1999 Women in Science and Technology event. In addition, Dec was named one of the "25 IT People to Watch" by Computerworld in 1998; one of 26 "Intriguing Women of New Jersey Business" by Business News; and was among the first honorees inducted into the Year 2000 Hall of Fame.

In selecting the Premier 100 IT Leaders, Computerworld's editorial research unit developed a 15-point "Computerworld IT Leadership Index," a set of characteristics that describes business and technology top executives who guide the effective use of information technology in their organizations. The Index judged IT Leaders on such factors as whether they: take calculated risks, nurture their IT staffs with creative work environments, and tie technology to business goals. The executives who most closely mapped with the index were selected as Computerworld's Premier 100.

Computerworld is a business unit of IDG, the world's leading IT media, research and exposition company. IDG publishes more than 290 computer magazines and newspapers and 4,000 book titles and offers online users the largest network of technology-specific sites around the world through IDG.net (www.idg.net), which comprises more than 250 targeted Web sites in 55 countries. IDG is also a leading producer of 168 computer-related expositions worldwide, and provides IT market analysis through 49 offices in 42 countries worldwide. Company information is available at www.idg.com.

Prudential, with $362 billion in assets managed and administered as of September 30, 1999, is one of the largest life insurance companies in the United States and is among the largest financial institutions in the world. Prudential serves more than 30 million customers worldwide, offering a variety of products and services, including life insurance, property and casualty insurance, mutual funds, annuities, pension and retirement related investments and administration, asset management, securities brokerage, and real estate and relocation. Prudential is headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. Visit the Prudential Web site at www.prudential.com.