June 1, 2000

Michelin Chairman Named to Port Board

Charleston, SC - James M. Micali, chairman and president of Michelin North America, Inc., has been named to the Board of Directors of the South Carolina State Ports Authority.

Yesterday the State Senate confirmed Gov. Jim Hodges' appointment of Micali, who was named to his current position at Michelin in 1996. He is a member of Group Michelin's College of Directors and is also responsible for support services in Michelin's North and Central American Geographic Area.

Michelin North America, Inc. is headquartered in Greenville, SC and employs more than 6,000 people at seven locations in South Carolina. Micali joined Michelin in 1977, holding a number of legal positions including two assignments in France. From 1990 to 1996, Micali served as executive vice president, legal and finance, for Michelin North America. Prior to that position, he was general counsel and secretary.

Micali received his J.D. degree from Boston College Law School in 1973 and his B.A. degree with Special Honors in 1969 from Lake Forest College in Illinois. Micali started his legal career as an associate with Higgins, Cavanah & Cooney in Providence, Rhode Island. He is currently a member of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Bars.

The South Carolina State Ports Authority operates public seaport facilities in Charleston, Georgetown and Port Royal and supports 83,000 port-related jobs across the state. Last year Ports Authority facilities handled more than 12 million tons of cargo valued at $29 billion. The Port of Charleston is currently the nation's fourth busiest container port, and South Carolina ranks sixth overall in dollar value of cargo handled.