NATIONAL COUNCIL OF MINORITIES IN ENERGY TO HOLD INAUGURAL RECEPTION

New Organization will create more diverse markets in the energy industry

Washington, DC (October 23, 2001) - The National Council of Minorities in Energy ("NCME") will hold its inaugural reception from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm today, October 23, 2001, in the Monet IV Room at Loews L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, D.C. NCME has been established to be the nation's premier trade association to educate, advocate for, and promote the development and utilization of, minority-owned businesses in the energy industry.

Specific goals of the organization include the following:

· Serve as the voice of minority-owned businesses in the energy sectors by educating the public and corporate communities on the importance of minority business participation in the formulation of national energy policies.

· Advocate for the development and expansion of federal, state and international policies that increase the quantity and quality of business opportunities available to minority-owned businesses in the energy industry.

· Lead and coordinate international commercial energy programs, including promotion activities through trade missions to foreign nations, conferences with foreign and international businesses and business match-making fairs.

· Create educational and other forums to assist legislators and government officials at the federal, state and local level to understand the legal and regulatory problems and issues that confront minority-owned businesses in energy markets.

· Educate and empower minority-owned businesses to create and access new energy markets in the public and private sectors.

· Conduct workshops, seminars, trade fairs, and other activities to promote the exchange of information and beneficial communications among minority-owned businesses, government entities and private enterprise, regarding opportunities in the energy industry.

· Maximize the reach and benefits of existing public and private programs established to enhance minority business participation in energy.

· Develop and implement strategies to increase access to capital and credit.

· Develop and implement strategies to monitor, develop, and influence national laws and policies impacting market entry and penetration.

· Develop, implement, and promote industry best practices.

Membership will be composed of:

General Members - minority-owned companies that develop, produce, or supply fossil fuels, natural gas, or electric energy or establish affiliated businesses within the energy industry;

Founding Members - corporate, government and educational entities that financially support the organization's mission; and

Associate Members - business owners in the non-energy industry related fields (vendors, service providers, consultants, and lawyers).

Jerry V. Curry, founder and CEO of Victoria International LTD will serve as Chairman of NCME; Ezekiel Patten, Jr., CEO of Patten Energy Enterprises, Inc., will serve as Vice Chair; Spencer D. Jordan, CEO of Quantum Energy Resources, Inc., will serve as Secretary; Frank L. Torbert, Jr., CEO of FLT Trading, will serve as Treasurer; Thomas A. Duckenfield and Rudy R. Fuentes from Shaw Pittman LLP will serve as General Counsel; and B. K. McIntyre and Doug Freberg will serve as Policy Advisors to NCME.