FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Jeanne Lazarus Metzger
April 15, 1999	703-524-2549
National Venture Capital Association Elects New President
April 15, 1999 - Today, the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) elected John H. Martinson president for the 1999-2000 term at the 1999 NVCA Annual Meeting in Boston. Mr. Martinson has served on the NVCA Board of Directors since 1993, where he chaired on the Research Committee and Membership Committee. During his tenure as an NVCA Director, John worked diligently expanding NVCA's membership and enhancing member services. John stated after being elected, "Venture capitalists are funding and guiding America's entrepreneurial boom. I am honored to lead the NVCA into the exciting next century" John H. Martinson has been a venture capitalist for 20 years. In 1986 John founded the Edison Venture Fund and serves as Managing Partner. Edison's capital pool exceeds $225 million in four limited partnerships. Edison has invested more than $190 million in 85 companies, mostly in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the Washington DC area. Industry specialties include software, communications and information technology. Edison's typical investment is $3 million in an expansion stage company ($2-15 million revenue). John is currently a director of three public and nine private companies. He specializes in computer software/services and electronic systems. Previously, John served on the Board of Directors of 35 companies in diverse businesses such as integrated circuits, microcomputers, electronic connectors, healthcare, biotechnology, business software, office automation and scientific instrumentation. He contributes expertise in organization, marketing and business planning. John has participated in more than 150 equity financings. John founded The New Jersey Technology Council. John served as Chairman of The New Jersey Technology Council, Greater Philadelphia Venture Group, the Philadelphia Mid-Atlantic Venture Fair, and the South Jersey Venture Fair. In addition, he initiated the North Jersey Venture Fair and the New Jersey Private Investors Network. John is a frequent speaker at entrepreneurial programs, venture capital events and software conferences. From 1979 to 1986, John was a Principal of the InnoVen Group, a national venture capital firm based in Saddle Brook, NJ, specializing in early stage, technology-oriented investments. InnoVen's corporate backers, Monsanto, Emerson Electric, and Anheuser Busch, supported a $100 million venture program. InnoVen was the first and largest investor in the majority of its 60 ventures. In the 1970's, John held management and marketing positions in chemical and pharmaceutical operations with American Cyanamid. He also was involved with entrepreneurial businesses and venture capital investments at Exxon Enterprises. John earned a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an MS in Astronautics from Purdue University, and an MBA from Southern Illinois University. He served in the US Air Force and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. John, his wife Margaret and three children reside in Hopewell Township, NJ. The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) represents over 300 venture capital and private equity firms. The NVCA was established in 1973 to foster a better understanding of the important impact venture capital has on the U.S. economy and to stimulate the flow of private risk equity capital to developing companies. Today, the NVCA is the venture community's leading source of advocacy, networking, professional development and information. NVCA's affiliate, the American Entrepreneurs for Economic Growth (AEEG), is the largest nationwide network of emerging growth companies focusing on public policy affecting fast growth enterprises. AEEG represents approximately 12,000 CEO's of emerging growth companies.