CMHC Systems Announces New Leadership; Industry Pioneer Sets Plans for the Future and Renews Commitment to Customers and Industry.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

DUBLIN, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 29, 2003

CMHC Systems, a leading provider of technology and business solutions for the healthcare and human services industry, announced today the appointment of Alistair J. Deakin as President and Chief Executive Officer and Michael W. Payne as Chief Operating Officer.

Deakin was appointed to the post by the company's founder and Chairman, John A. Paton, who has served as the firm's CEO since its inception in 1978. Paton will continue in a full-time executive capacity with the company.

"I am delighted that Alistair has accepted the CEO position at CMHC Systems. This year we celebrated our 25th anniversary serving the behavioral health, public health, and human services industries and I am very proud of that service. As we prepare for the next 25 years, I am confident of Alistair's equal commitment to continue the mission of CMHC Systems and to continue to achieve success and advancement for the company, our customers, and the industry as a whole. I am excited to be passing the baton to a new executive team at this point in our history, and I very much look forward to working with them" said Paton.

Deakin said, "I am honored to have been selected by John Paton and by the Board to lead CMHC Systems into its next era of service to the industry. John is widely recognized for his dedication and commitment to supporting the outstanding work and vital service that behavioral health and human services providers deliver everyday. With continued emphasis on the development and delivery of the very finest products and services that are responsive to the needs of the full spectrum of providers, small and large alike, we intend to preserve, enhance, and continue the vision and mission he put into motion 25 years ago."

As Chairman of the Board and Executive Director, Paton will be actively involved in advising the management team on the company's long-term global product and technology strategy and business objectives and help build core competencies and knowledge transfer among employees and customers. He will also spend time developing and cultivating industry relationships and will continue to speak at conferences, seminars, and trade shows.

Prior to this appointment, Deakin served as CMHC Systems' Executive Vice President for Business Development and Customer Relations and was previously CEO of Earley Corporation. He is also an attorney and seasoned investment and financial advisor with extensive experience working with technology companies.

As Chief Operating Officer, Michael Payne will have day-to-day responsibility for all commercial and operational aspects of CMHC Systems. Payne comes to the firm with an impressive background in management and business development for software companies and information technology organizations. In his career, Payne has held leadership and management positions with Dell Computer, Net Shepherd, Sigmatech, Teledyne Brown Engineering, and the United States Air Force.

"Having spent the past three weeks familiarizing myself with CMHC Systems, I've had the opportunity to observe first-hand the strong devotion to customer success that the employees share in common with John and Alistair. They are proud to be associated with such a dynamic industry leader, and I am eager to join their efforts in providing exceptional products and services for our customers," said Payne.

CMHC Systems' Board of Directors member Alexander (Sandy) Trevor, co-founder of CompuServe and a development pioneer of Internet technology, applauds Paton's decision. "The board unanimously supports these decisions. It is extremely rare for an entrepreneur of John's stature and distinction to initiate such planning of their own volition. Over the past few months, I've seen the business plan take shape and a strong management team and organizational infrastructure put in place that will carry the company forward. With these appointments, John demonstrates a commitment to the future of CMHC Systems, the people he employs, the customers he serves, and the industry in which he lives and works. The phrase '25 Now. 25 More.' we've used to recognize and celebrate CMHC Systems' 25th anniversary is not just a marketing slogan. For John, it is a mantra, a creed - one he obviously intends to honor," said Trevor.

About CMHC Systems:

CMHC Systems, a technology force since 1978 continues to grow and lead the industry as one of the most active and aware software developers in business today. CMHC Systems has provided business and technology solutions to more than 500 organizations in 48 states and currently serves more than 30,000 end users.

A total solutions provider, CMHC Systems offers a full suite of products and services for human services organizations including it's flagship CMHC/MIS, - the only fully integrated management information system available today for this industry; the comprehensive Windows(R)-based BCMS Suite and TxPlan(R); as well as premiere HIPAA education resources, top quality network security services, professional business management consultation, contingency planning and recovery services, an award-winning national corporate magazine, and more.

For more information about CMHC Systems and its complete line of products and services, please write to us at 570 Metro Place North, Dublin, Ohio, 43017; call 1-800-434-CMHC; fax 614-764-0439; email info@cmhc.com; or visit our web site at www.cmhcsystems.com.