To: A. E. who wrote (4154 ) 4/20/1999 9:02:00 AM From: Gator Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 4767
A.E., Yes, ETPI "gave" me some shares. Unsolicited. It was Doug Butcher's way of saying thanks for many hours that I donated of my time to help the company with internet research while they were developing their Performance S&L site and VisionQuest site. I also brought a couple of acquisition/merger candidates to their attention (although they didn't really pan out), and I also helped show them how to word and structure press releases (with related company links) to broaden readership. I didn't expect to receive shares, I was just an active shareholder trying to improve my investment. Doug's gift is an indication of how he feels about his shareholders, especially the supportive ones. I've been staying off the boards lately because I haven't really been following ETPI too closely lately. I wasn't expecting anything major to happen until the 2nd qtr financials (due May 15), when I think we'll get our first indication of how the company is doing with their "focus and finish" initiative. I wasn't aware that Pete had left the company until I read it here. Sorry to see him go, he was a pretty good guy. But, Doug is focusing on the bottom line and part of that I'm sure is streamlining internal operations. A lot of 144 stock was due to hit the market this year with all the acquisitions that were made last year. When we see these waves of selling, I'm assuming it's someone unloading some of their stock whose restriction period has freed up. Not much can be done other than to weather the storm, wait until it seems to have subsided, then buy on the dip and profit on the bounceback. This stock has always been a buy when it drops down to the $0.18 to $0.25 range. Gator Disclaimer: I have received 10,000 restricted shares of ETPI for various consulting services provided to the company.