NineSigma Expands Program Management Team to Support Growing Demand for Company’s Open Innovation Solutions

Cleveland, OH - June 26, 2007 – NineSigma, a leading provider of open innovation solutions to the enterprise, today announced the expansion of its program management team, including project manager Rick H. Rohles and program manager Carmen C. McEwen, PhD. Driven by a significant increase in demand from Global 1000 companies, the new appointments broaden NineSigma’s industry expertise and support the company’s rapid growth.

Rohles joins NineSigma as Project Manager, a newly created senior level role responsible for overseeing large, high-volume client engagements. Serving as an onsite project lead for the client, Rohles will leverage Program Managers to execute programs and facilitate overall project implementation. With expertise in open innovation and commercialization, Rohles brings extensive background in product strategy, design and development within the electronics industry.

Dr. McEwen brings significant experience in management, marketing and international business development across the food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries, and joins NineSigma as Program Manager. In this position, she will be responsible for designing, consulting and executing client projects.

"As we continue to expand globally, our goal is to add top talent in industries we serve. Rick and Carmen demonstrate the critical experience and management qualities most important to the future growth of NineSigma and we are thrilled to have them join our team," said Paul Stiros, CEO, NineSigma. "Any time we can hire people who have been instrumental in building blue-chip brands like Motorola and Cargill, it furthers the overall growth of NineSigma, giving our clients confidence that our relationships will be successful and that projects will be managed effectively."

Prior to joining NineSigma, Rohles spent more than 25 years at Motorola in roles ranging from managing the advanced technology and business alignment and transfer department, to managing product development for the commercial, government and industrial solutions sectors. Most recently, Rohles was a director in the mobile devices business where he led a senior leadership team in the identification of all major external innovation engagements and technologies. Rohles earned his BS in Electrical Engineering and his MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kansas.

Prior to joining NineSigma, McEwen served as the managing director of the innovation program for USSTMLP, a consumer packaged goods company. In her role, McEwen was responsible for the overall marketing and implementation of programs dedicated to technical development. Previously she was the technical/marketing manager for Cargill’s Soy Protein Products Business unit where she led the strategic initiatives around design, development, implementation and sales. She has also held positions with Land O’ Lakes, FMC and Massey University, New Zealand. McEwen received a BS in Chemical Engineering and an MsC in Food Technology and Engineering from the University of Washington. She also received an Executive MBA from the University of Minnesota, and received her PhD from the University of Washington. McEwen is fluent in Spanish, French and Portuguese.

About NineSigma

NineSigma’s unique "Discover-Connect-Solve" approach, based on the principles of Open Innovation, enables Global 1000 clients such as DuPont, P&G, GlaxoSmithKline, Kraft and Unilever to locate, connect and facilitate real business partnerships for bringing inventive new technologies and concepts to the market. NineSigma’s open network of innovators spans industries, geographies, and technical disciplines. It is the largest of its kind, and includes universities, industry leaders, trade organizations, research labs and inventors from around the world. For more information visit: www.ninesigma.com.

NineSigma Media Contact
Meghan Journey
Racepoint Group
781-487-4600
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