Young Presidents' Organization and World Presidents' Organization Unite to Create the Lifelong Global Leadership Network



    The Young Presidents' Organization and World Presidents'
    Organization today announced that the two global leadership
    organizations will merge to operate as one organization, while
    continuing to offer unparalleled networking opportunities and
    world-class benefits to its combined 15,000 members.

    "This is an incredible milestone in the 57-year history of YPO,"
    said Michael I. Pappas, 2007-2008 YPO International Chairman and
    member of the Miami Chapter. "Connecting with our graduates is a
    powerful resource for our YPO members. YPOers will now have access to
    nearly 5,000 industry and world leaders who share their YPO
    connection. We appreciate the efforts of WPO leaders to make this
    lifelong organization a reality and we will continue to foster the
    legacy of WPO."

    YPO, comprised of young leaders under the age of 55, and WPO, an
    organization for YPO graduates, will retain their individual local
    chapters to continue their focus on their respective members' needs.
    Both networks will combine operations to create the premier lifelong
    global leadership organization. The integration of the two
    organizations will now provide YPO and WPO members even greater
    opportunities for continuous learning and peer networking -- the
    foundation of both organizations.

    "This merger offers both organizations the opportunity to unite
    two forward-thinking cultures, while maintaining the individuality of
    each membership group," said Rich Campbell, 2007 WPO International
    Chairman and member of WPO's Philadelphia Chapter. "WPOers can look
    forward to increased educational and interest-based networking
    opportunities, and both memberships will have streamlined access to
    each other for resources and idea exchange."

    About Young Presidents' Organization

    Young Presidents' Organization, founded in 1950 in New York by
    manufacturer Ray Hickok, is the premier international network of young
    global leaders, connecting more than 11,000 members in 202 local
    chapters in 100 nations to learn and exchange ideas to address the
    challenges young leaders face today. All members of this worldwide,
    not-for-profit, executive education organization of peers are age 55
    or younger. YPO was born with the express purpose to help build
    "Better Leaders Through Education and Idea Exchange" among its peer
    members and their families. YPO's mission still resonates worldwide 57
    years after it was founded, and the organization continues to welcome
    new members and chapters from every corner of the world. For more
    information, visit www.YPO.org.

    About World Presidents' Organization

    The World Presidents' Organization is a global organization of
    more than 4,500 individuals who are or have been chief executive
    officers of major enterprises. For three decades, WPO has sustained
    the valued exchange of ideas with leaders and their peers that its
    members began as part of their participation in the Young Presidents'
    Organization. With operations in more than 70 countries, WPO members
    combine corporate responsibility and personal public service to create
    significant contributions in the communities where they live and work.
    Today their ranks include diplomats and senior elected and appointed
    government officials on international, national, regional and local
    levels. As lifetime leaders, WPO members recognize and act on their
    responsibility in the fields of corporate governance, public service
    and educational advancement. For more information, visit www.WPO.org.