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Columbia IT Council Announces Palmetto Pillar Award Winners

Contacts:
Mike Lee
Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce
(803) 733-1117

Cheryl Seminara
LogicSouth
(803) 732-7757

Rita Shoor
Shoor & Company
(803) 699-0710

Columbia Information Technology Council
Announces Palmetto Pillar Award Winners

COLUMBIA, S.C. – February 8, 2002 – The Columbia Information Technology Council
(ITC) today announced the six winners of the inaugural Greater Columbia ITC
Palmetto Pillar Awards. The awards were presented during a ceremony on February
7 at the Capital City Club in Columbia.

In the Technology Application category, the Palmetto Pillar is EasyBenfits, for
its application of Internet technology to the process of employee benefits
enrollment and management. EasyBenefits launched its innovative EasyWeb
solution in 2000, relying on extensive human resources and insurance industry
knowledge to develop an easy-to-use system.

The Technology Development Pillar is BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina for
My Insurance Manager, a solution that provides customers with Web-based access
to their insurance information. BCBS of South Carolina was the first health
insurer in the state – and among the first in the nation – to offer online
self-service for policyholders and physicians.

The Technology in Education Pillar is Fast Forward, offering computer access
and classes to residents of the Olympia, Bluff Estates and Arthurtown
communities of Columbia. Since its inception, Fast Forward has provided
computer instruction for hundreds of adults and children.

The Richland County GIS is this year's Community Service Pillar for its
development of technology and business practices to benefit residents of the
Columbia area, as well as state and local governments. Its geography-based
project supports mosquito-control data collection, along with disease outbreak
planning and mitigation.

The Small Enterprise Pillar is Xpress Group of West Columbia, developers of
Internet-based tax-filing software for accounting professionals. This company
continues to lead the industry with early product delivery dates to clients,
and expects to process over 400,000 federal returns this year.

In the area of Individual Achievement, this year's Pillar is Celia Boland, the
computer technology teacher for grades three through six at Leslie M. Stover
School in Elgin, S.C. At each grade level, her students master over 100
technology skills using Microsoft Office. Besides her classroom activities, she
also devotes time sponsoring an after-school computer club, Teacher Techie
Time, and Family Technology Night at the school.

"Each of this year's Pillars provides our community a valuable and exemplary
service," said ITC Recognition Committee Chairman Walter Perkins. "Whether it's
one person or a business of thousands, they make significant contributions to
the Midlands economy. It's an honor for this organization to bestow our
first-ever Palmetto Pillar Awards on these groups and individuals."

About the ITC
The Columbia Information Technology Council is an assemblage of technology
leaders promoting Columbia as a desirable location for IT companies. Drawing
upon their combined knowledge and experience, the ITC identifies, cultivates
and promotes those characteristics and facilities that IT businesses require
for efficient and successful operations. Members endeavor to help develop a
well-educated and dynamic workforce, provide guidance based on their
professional expertise, and advance the amenities offered by the Greater
Columbia Area. Additional information can be found on the Web at
www.itc.columbiachamber.com.

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