TAFT PICKS TOLEDOAN AS CHIEF OF ADDICTION SERVICES AGENCY

Columbus -- Gov. bob Taft yesterday appointed Gary Tester director of
the state Department of Alcohol and Drug Addictions Services. He will
replace Luceille Fleming, who retires tomorrow.

"It's a great honor" said Mr. Tester, 44. "Ohio is among a handful of
states with a cabinet-level post on drug and alcohol issues."

Mr. Tester of Toledo has been the chief of prevention services for
ODDAS since November, 2000, at an annual salary is $81,972. Mr. Taft
has not set his salary as director yet.

Mr. Tester was named executive director of Toledo's youth commission
by then-mayor Carty Finkbeiner in 1996. in 1998 he became director of
public policy and development in Ohio for Boysville, which serves
children with emotional, mental health, and substance abuse problems.

I 1976 graduate of DeVilbis High School, Mr. Tester has a masters
degree in rehabilitation from Bowling Green State University and a
bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Toledo.