Shirley Ann Jackson Elected to IBM Board of Directors

Samuel J. Palmisano, IBM chairman and chief executive officer,said: "Shirley Ann Jackson's significant background and experience intechnology and her leadership at one of the most highly regardedtechnological research universities in the world will make her avaluable member of our board. We are very pleased she is joining us."

Prior to becoming the president of Rensselaer, Dr. Jackson heldsenior positions in government, research and in academia -- as atheoretical physicist at the former AT&T Bell Laboratories from 1976to 1991, as professor of theoretical physics at Rutgers Universityfrom 1991 to 1995 and as chairman of the U.S. Nuclear RegulatoryCommission from 1995 until she assumed her current position atRensselaer in 1999.

Dr. Jackson, 59, holds a bachelor's degree in physics and adoctorate in theoretical elementary particle physics, both from theMassachusetts Institute of Technology. She is currently a director ofthe following companies -- FedEx Corporation, Marathon OilCorporation, Medtronic Inc., Public Service Enterprise GroupIncorporated and United States Steel Corporation.

Dr. Jackson's election to the IBM board is effective today,bringing the board to a total of 13 members.