FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reston, VA/EWORLDWIRE/June 3, 2002 --- COOP Consulting (www.coop-consulting.com) and DRII today announced an agreement to license DRII's industry-standard educational courses and professional certification programs for delivery to military, federal, state, and local government clients.

"We expect our public sector version of DRII's unique educational course materials and professional certification, with modifications targeted to the special needs of the public sector, to be of great value," said Chris Alvord, CEO of COOP Consulting. "The proven content already taught to thousands of students for many years covers the full life cycle of Continuity of Operations programs, enabling standardization of process and delivery excellence."

"DRII is pleased to partner with COOP Consulting, "said Tom Mawson, Executive Director if DRII. "There's an obvious and increased need for continuity planning skills in all industries since 911. Government and the military are especially in a position to benefit from our experience. COOP Consulting's distinctive position, specializing in public sector clients, makes them a valuable partner."

THE OFFERING Together, COOP and DRII offer the following professional educational courses and professional certification to the public sector:

* The "Introductory Series" of four courses, each 2 1/2 days in length * The "Intermediate Level" course, consolidating the introductory series into a single five-day course * The "Business Continuity Planning Review" course for experienced professionals, a 2-day class preparing candidates for certification * The DRI International's "Certified Professional Examination"

For on-line course descriptions, DC-area offering calendar, and payments options, http://www.coop-consulting.com/what/certified.htm gives access to all training information at the COOP Consulting Web site.

BACKGROUND PDD 67 requires Federal agencies to develop Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans for Essential Operations. On April 30, 2001 FEMA mandated that "all Federal agencies shall have in place a viable COOP capability, which ensures the performance of their essential functions during any emergency or situation that may disrupt normal operations." FPC 66 is a "requirement that all Federal agencies periodically test, train, and exercise their COOP plans individually and collectively." FPC 67 is " a requirement for all Federal agencies to designate alternate operating facilities as part of their COOP planning responsibilities".

ABOUT COOP CONSULTING - - Planning from experience? COOP, headquartered in Reston, VA, is the first consulting company in the United States to focus exclusively on Continuity of Operations (COOP) for government. Their offerings cover the complete needs for a government entity's Continuity of Operations program:

* Experienced, certified people to staff or assist continuity programs. * Free software, available over the Internet, that manages all the processes and document management needs of a complex, multi-facility program. * Courses and certification procedures for government professionals.

Our experienced staff and alliance partners are focused on the special challenges of helping government and military units plan for the rapid restoration of their complete operations from disasters, minimizing losses and speeding recovery.

ABOUT DRI INTERNATIONAL (DRII) DRII (www.drii.org) was first formed in 1988 as the Disaster Recovery Institute in St. Louis, MO. A group of professionals from the industry and from Washington University in St. Louis forecast the need for comprehensive education in operational and business continuity. Alliances with academia helped shape early research and curriculum development.

The group also understood that individual certification and establishing a common body of knowledge (standards) could only enhance industry professionalism. As a result, the new non-profit organization established its goals to promote a base of common knowledge for the continuity planning and disaster recovery industry through

* Education, assistance, and publication of the standard resource base; * Certify qualified individuals in the discipline; and * Promote the credibility and professionalism of certified individuals.

DRII sets standards providing the minimum acceptable level of measurable knowledge, thus providing a baseline for levels of knowledge and capabilities.

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CONTACT:
Vicki-Ellis, Marketing
COOP Consulting LLC
12096 Kinsley Place
Reston, VA 20190
PHONE: 703-457-0574
FAX: 703-457-0574
EMAIL: vicki-ellis@coop-consulting.com

URLs: http://www.coop-consulting.com, http://www.coop-consulting.com/what/certified.htm, http://www.drii.org