FAST CEO Joins Expert Panel at FIN's 2001 Conference

Bernard G. Koether to Be Featured on Panel Discussion at "2001: An Innovation Odyssey"

STRATFORD, Conn., -- May 10, 2001 -- FAST, Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bernard G. Koether will be featured on a panel discussion at the Foodservice Innovation Network’s annual conference, "2001: An Innovation Odyssey," to be held May 16-18 in Chicago.

The conference focuses on the future of foodservice, encouraging participants to see their industry embarked on a "continuous journey of innovation." Conference officials said the event also will reflect the foodservice industry’s "significant advances in technology over the past 30 years."

Koether will serve on an executive panel on Thursday, May 17, 10:00 am, entitled "The Cost of Change." The discussion will cover the costs of operational changes in restaurant equipment, training, menu items, etc., and gauging the payback of such changes in the current market.

Peter Romeo, Editor, Restaurant Business magazine will lead the panel with Nancy Kruse of The Kruse Company. Other panelists include Dave Brewer, VP of Global Engineering, Tricon, Barbara Timm-Brock, COO, Cinnabon, Chris Elliot, COO, Church's Chicken, and Dr. George Henry, Group Manager of Research & Development, Sara Lee Branded Foods.

Koether is the founder of Stratford, Conn.-based FAST, Inc. and has more than 30 years of experience in the foodservice equipment sector and is a recognized innovator in the industry. His entrepreneurial achievements were recently featured in Forbes Magazine. He earned a BA degree from Brown University and an MBA in finance from Columbia University. Before entering the foodservice industry, Ben served as a naval navigator and scientific officer for the US Navy aboard the USS Glacier, the largest icebreaker of her time and the flagship of Admiral Byrd. Ben currently serves as chairman and founder of the Glacier Society (www.glaciersociety.org), a dedicated group of veterans, polar explorers, and volunteers. Their mission is to restore the Icebreaker Glacier for use as an operational museum and school ship in the Northeast.

As a member of the National Restaurant Association (NRA), the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM), and the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA), Koether also is a former chairman of the Connecticut/ New York Council and former director of the American Electronics Association.

The Foodservice Innovation Network, formerly known as SAFSR, is a global network of information that promotes the innovation and exchange of ideas and the examination of innovative technologies for application to the food service industry. For more info. on the Foodservice Innovation Network, or to register online for the event, please visit the FIN Web site at http://www.finovationn.org/AnnualConference.htm

FAST is the leading manufacturer of appliance controls and on-line kitchen networking products specially developed for use in the foodservice industry. FAST products, based on DigitalDNA™ technology from Motorola, can be found in major restaurants worldwide, including KFC, Burger King, Popeyes, Arby's, Church's Chicken, Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, and others.

Notices: (FAST.) is a registered trademark of Food Automation - Service Techniques, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. © Copyright 2001 FAST, Inc.

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