Matsumoto-san on new Board of online education firm:
Trans Cosmos USA CEO Joins Acadio Board of Directors;
New Continuing Education Venture Attracts
Internationally-Renowned Information Technology
Entrepreneur
Tuesday December 14 6:03am
Source: BusinessWire
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 14, 1999--Acadio(TM) Corporation,
dedicated to helping people reach their full personal and professional potential
through self-directed education, today announced that Mr. Yasuki Matsumoto,
president and chief executive officer of Trans Cosmos USA Inc., which supplied
Acadio with $1 million of its $3 million seed funding, has joined Acadio's board of
directors.
"We are extremely honored to have Mr. Matsumoto join our board," said Steven
Sperry, Acadio chairman and CEO. "His experience in the information technology
sector both nationally and internationally will be an enormous asset to Acadio as
we build the premier online destination for continuing education and in the future
as we expand into international markets."
Matsumoto has more than 20 years of experience in the information technology
industry. After beginning his career at Microsoft Corporation where he created the
Far East Engineering Department and established Microsoft KK in Japan,
Matsumoto formed DBC Technologies, a company specializing in the
localization, engineering and marketing of high technology products for Far East
markets. While at DBC Technologies he helped to establish Compaq KK in
Japan. He also founded EnCompass Group Inc. in 1995.
Matsumoto currently serves as president and CEO of Trans Cosmos USA Inc., a
leading strategic international investor and business development firm. Trans
Cosmos USA brings funding capabilities and highly developed first-hand
knowledge of the customer service, distribution, infrastructure and marketing
support services in Japan. This experience, coupled with the ability to structure
partnerships that include some of Japan's most notable companies, gives Trans
Cosmos USA a unique approach to creating value for its portfolio companies.
"Steven Sperry is a visionary and a successful entrepreneur with whom I had the
opportunity to work with while he was chairman and CEO of Primus Knowledge
Solutions (Nasdaq:PKSI)," said Matsumoto. "I have confidence in his ability to
build Acadio into the premier online destination for individuals and businesses
around the world who seek continuing education information, products and
services. And I look forward to working with Steve and his exceptional executive
team to accomplish this worthwhile goal."
Acadio and its Web site, www.acadio.com, are scheduled to launch in early
2000. Acadio will package a broad range of professional education and personal
learning products and self-study materials in the most comprehensive, compelling
and informative format available on the Web. Along with learning products and
materials, Acadio will post independent product reviews, expert commentary,
ratings and skill assessment tools to assist self-directed learners in making
informed purchase decisions that best meet their interests, time and budget.
About Trans Cosmos USA Inc.
Trans Cosmos USA is a strategic international investor and an active local
business partner for U.S. Internet-based technology companies expanding into
the Japanese marketplace. It is the international partner-of-choice, offering
capitalization of joint ventures, infrastructure development, strategic relationships,
staffing and localization to companies in the American technology
sector--effectively creating a pipeline of technological information to Japan. Trans
Cosmos USA's portfolio, which focuses on companies specializing in new media,
e-commerce, customer care and marketing services, includes such marquee
brand names as DoubleClick Inc., RealNetworks Inc., Net Perceptions Inc. and
NetRatings Inc. For more information, please visit www.transcosmos.com.
About Trans Cosmos USA Inc.
About Acadio Corporation
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Seattle, Acadio is dedicated to helping
people reach their full professional and personal potential through self-directed
education. Acadio intends to be the premier worldwide online destination for
professionals seeking information, products, and services related to continuing
education. Consumers will be able to quickly and easily find, evaluate, compare,
and purchase learning products and services from www.acadio.com. The Acadio
Web site will provide valuable information and resources to build strengths,
sharpen skills, focus direction, and expand life experiences, giving people the
edge they need to improve their lives. For more information, call 206/225-5000, or
e-mail info@acadio.com. |
