Exostar, an independent, global e- marketplace for the $400 billion aerospace and defense industry, announced today the appointment of Andy Plyler as President and Chief Executive Officer. With more than 15 years of aerospace, defense and airline experience, Plyler joins Exostar at its Reston, VA, headquarters, effective January 29, 2001.

Most recently, Plyler has served PartsBase.com of Boca Raton, FL, since May 2000 as Chief Operating Officer. Prior to this appointment, Plyler was Director, E Business, Aerospace Division for AlliedSignal (now Honeywell International) for nearly three years responsible for creating and leading the component repair operation near Phoenix, AZ. Other related industry experience includes four years (1995-1998) at BF Goodrich Aerospace in Everrett, WA, as Vice President-Operations, Airframe Services Division.

In addition to building his B2B background, Plyler has accrued 10 years of airline experience at Delta Air Lines. Joining Delta in 1985 as a machinist in the Technical Operations Division, he quickly progressed to managerial positions both in the airline's technical operations and corporate offices.

"The appointment of Andy Plyler as President and CEO is a strong statement to the aerospace and defense industry that Exostar is committed to delivering the leading open, independent e-marketplace," said Exostar Board Member Phil Duke of Lockheed Martin. Speaking on behalf of Exostar's four founding partners, including BAE SYSTEMS, Boeing, Lockheed Martin Corp., and Raytheon Co., Duke added that "Plyler's wealth of aerospace and airline experience will assist in Exostar's development as a web-based global exchange." Accenture Partner Kent Swanson, who has been Exostar's acting CEO, said "Since we initiated operations on the world wide web on September 29, 2000, Exostar's goal has been to use the Internet to bring together manufacturers, suppliers and service providers along with airline and government customers, in a secure e-marketplace -- increasing reach, reducing costs, improving efficiencies, and delivering more value. Andy understands this environment well and is an outstanding addition to the team. He brings proven leadership skills and a successful track record to an emerging strong management team."

Exostar represents the cooperative efforts of some of the world's largest aerospace and defense companies -- BAE SYSTEMS, Boeing , Lockheed Martin Corp. , and Raytheon Co. (NYSE: RTN; RTNB) -- are the four founding strategic partners. While the global e-marketplace is owned and operated by Exostar as a separate company, each of the founding partners holds an ownership stake in Exostar with an additional equity stake reserved for additional partners. Commerce One also owns a stake in the exchange as a strategic investor and lead technology provider. As the lead business integrator and program manager, Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting) led the effort to establish Exostar.

  For further information, contact:
  Stephen O'Sullivan
  Exostar
  Executive VP-Sales and Marketing
  Tel: 703-947-1401, Email: stephen.osullivan@exostar.com

SOURCE: Exostar