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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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December 16, 2003

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New NPF Head Promises Postal Forum Transformation
Alvarado: "Best-Ever Event" to Open in Washington September 19
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        With her election as the new Chair of the Board of Directors of the
National Postal Forum, Susan E. Alvarado immediately announced her
organization's commitment to making the September relaunch of the National
Postal Forum "the best-ever mailing industry and postal customer event."

        "The Forum, for the past two decades, has been recognized as the
premier occasion of its kind," said Alvarado, "but we're not going to be
resting on our laurels. This fall's Forum promises to be a transformational
event. The combination of the city, the venue and the anticipated
presentations is setting the stage for a truly remarkable experience."

        Alvarado, a former United States Postal Service Governor was elected
at the Forum Board's annual meeting in New York City.  The selection followed
the addition of two industry leaders - marketing executive Cynthia Cooper and
advertising agency president David Sable - to the Board for the first time.

        "Cindy Cooper and I are going to bring a strong industry perspective,"
said Sable, who serves as Vice Chairman and President Worldwide Operations of
Wunderman, a New York-headquartered direct marketing and advertising agency
and also is a member of the Steering Committee of the Mailing Industry Task
Force. "We'll be active in developing strategies for the future direction of
the Forum, as well as for building its relevance to marketing decision makers
and other business users of the mail."

        "This new Board has an industry focus," added Cooper, President of
Response Concepts, who has extensive experience in direct response marketing.
"I think you're going to see that perspective translate into exciting changes
for the Forum in both the near and longer terms."

        Alvarado is a principal in the Washington, DC government relations
consulting firm of Alvarado, Gerken & Bennett.  Ms. Alvarado has expertise in
defense, telecommunications and appropriations issues.  Previous to her
current position she has worked with Republican and Democratic leadership in
the Senate as assistant to minority leader Ted Stevens from 1976-1980, and
served as assistant for legislative affairs to Vice President George H.W. Bush
in 1983. In 1988 she was appointed to the U.S. Postal Service Board of
Governors by President Ronald Reagan.


        Alvarado replaces as Chair Peter F. Lyons, a principal in Dupont
Consulting Solutions who had served on the Board since 1995. Also departing
the Forum Board is Mary S. Elcano, General Counsel of the American Red Cross.
Other current Board members include former Deputy Postmaster General Michael
S. Coughlin, an associate partner with Accenture; former USPS Chief Operating
Officer Clarence E. Lewis, Jr.; and C. Neil Benson, another former Deputy
Postmaster General and former head of the Postal Inspection Service.

        "The new Forum Board of Directors, and the breadth and depth of their
experience, should serve our partnership well," said United States Postal
Service Chief Marketing Officer Anita Bizzotto. "Like Susan Alvarado, I
anticipate the result will be an exceptional event in Washington this
September."

        "There's a renewed spirit of cooperation and a new energy," said
Alvarado. "It's an exciting time to be involved with the Forum."

        The 2004 Fall Postal Forum is scheduled to begin on September 19 at
the Washington, DC Convention Center.

        For further information about the fall 2004 National Postal Forum
/Washington, D.C., visit the NPF web site (www.npf.org) or call 703-218-5015.
For information about USPS products and services, visit www.usps.com.