News Release

WESTFORD MASS., April 8, 2004 - The Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce (MWCoC) today announced that Ekaru President, Ann Westerheim, PhD, had been elected to its Board of Directors for a three-year term. The announcement was made during the Chamber’s 15th Annual Meeting held at Stow Acres Country Club in Stow, Mass.

"Ann is the kind of involved member that we are always happy to have represent us,” said Bonnie Cameron, MWCoC’s Executive Director. “Her knowledgeable, energetic and positive outlook is a great plus for our Board. We are pleased that Ann will be a part of the growth and development of our Chamber and I look forward to working with her for many years to come. Additionally, Ann’s monthly seminar series on technology business issues, given in collaboration with the MWCoC Chamber, acts as a catalyst for small business growth in the greater Middlesex West County area."

Ekaru is a strategic hands-on technology services firm for small and mid-sized business. It offers regional monthly workshops on relevant business tech topics such as How to Use Quick Books, How to Keep Your Home Office in Good Working Order and The Ten Costliest Business Technology Errors.

"The Middlesex West Chamber offers great business development and networking opportunities for both established companies and new business start-ups," said Ann Westerheim, PhD. "Working with Bonnie and the other board members, I hope that we can create an even stronger business-friendly environment for area companies. I’m honored to have been chosen for this post."

MWCoC Board of Directors, from left to right: Armand Diarbekirian (MetroWest Financial Partners, LLC), Michelle Garrigan (Middlesex Savings Bank), Nancy Schiavone (Indian Hill Music Center), Danny Costa (Dunkin¹ Donuts), David Didriksen (Willow Books & Café), David Feakes (Feakes Associates), Rose Weinberger (Cayenne Studio), Patty Chisholm (Middlesex Savings Bank), Anne Kingan (AK Consulting Services), Ken Sundberg (Realty Executives of Eastern MA), Sharon Knox(Emerson Hospital), Steven Levitsky (Edward Jones Investments), Ann Westerheim (Ekaru). Not shown: Mark McGaunn (MJM Financial Advisors, LLC) and Gail Plank (Citizens Bank).

About the MWCoC
The Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce (MWCoC) is a business-focused organization serving the towns of Acton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Littleton, Maynard, Stow and Westford, Massachusetts. It is dedicated to improving the economic climate and the quality of life in the Middlesex West County region. It offers its members a number of value-added benefits including: group medical, dental, disability and long term care insurance programs, marketing initiatives, small business development services and networking opportunities. For more information please visit the web site at www.mwcoc.com or call 1- (978) 263-0010.

About Ekaru, LLC
Headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts, Ekaru, Inc. provides strategic, hands-on technology services for small business and mid-sized businesses. It has enabled a growing list of more than 150 clients to transform their IT systems from reliable utilities into strategic business assets that can drive revenue growth. The company has the technical knowledge to keep business systems running smoothly and the business technology perspective to advise on IT growth planning as a business expands. Acting as an outsourced IT department, Ekaru’s staff of engineers and consultants can develop, maintain or trouble shoot network solutions, high speed internet access , security & back-up, data protection & recovery, web & email hosting, web site development and strategy & planning. Ekaru was established in 2001. For more information, visit the web site at www.ekaru.com or call 1-866 GO EKARU (463-5278).