Press Release

The Composites Fabricators Association
1655 North Fort Myer Dr., Suite 510
Arlington, VA 22209
703.525.0511
CFANews@cfa-hq.org
www.cfa-hq.org

Contact:

Missy Henriksen 703.525.0511 mhenriksen@cfa-hq.org

Everett A. Pearson, Chairman of the Board of TPI Composites, was selected by the Composites Fabricators Association's Board of Directors as the organization's 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Pearson was selected for his "legacy" and many contributions to the composites industry, and stands with the likes of previous honorees Brandt Goldsworthy, Lowell Miles, CCT, Wes Hoch, and Robert Morrison. He will be honored on September 27th in Atlanta, Georgia during the awards ceremony at COMPOSITES 2002, the annual convention and trade show sponsored by CFA.

Since he co-founded Pearson Yachts in 1957, Pearson has been one of the composites industry's mainstays. In 1968, with Neil Tillotson, he formed Tillotson-Pearson, Inc which, with a new partnership in 1992, became TPI Composites. Over the years, Pearson has been instrumental in many creations that have shaped not only the composites industry, but also products that have affected activities for consumers and corporations. He developed and manufactured:

• The internationally renown J Boat line of high performance sailboats, started in 1976, and remains strong today;
• Thousands of sport fishing boats, sail boats, and yachts;
• 30-foot and 40-foot all composite buses;
• People movers constructed entirely form composites; and
• More than 20,000 wind blades up to 90-feet in length for electrical power generation.

Words used to describe this year's honoree include "passionate, persistent, an innovator." His employees talk about his good nature and the dedicated enthusiasm he displays for pet projects. Son Mark comments that his father's entrepreneurial spirit has never wavered. "When times have been tough and all of a sudden we didn't think we could do it, or everybody said we couldn't build it, he (Everett) found a way to do it," says the younger Pearson.

CFA's President, Jonathan Spaulding, CCT, echoes words of praise for Pearson whom he considers a friend and mentor. "I have seen some amazing things come out of Everett's place. He is a "class act," someone who deserves the respect and accolades of the Composites Fabricators Association."

With more than 900 member companies, The Composites Fabricators Association (CFA) is the world's largest trade group representing the composites industry. Its annual convention and trade show is the largest in North America, with supplier and fabricator representatives from all market areas. CFA publishes a monthly magazine, Composites Fabrication, offers a universal, comprehensive training program for fabricators, Certified Composites Technician, and provides strong, proactive leadership in technical, government and regulatory affairs. For membership information, call 703.525.0511, email: cfa-info@cfa-hq.org; or visit CFA's Web Site: http://www.cfa-hq.org.