Gabriel A. Battista

GABRIEL A. BATTISTA, President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
TALK.com. As of January 1999, Mr. Battista joined TALK.com as its
President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, he is
responsible for developing the strategy for the business and putting in
place the necessary operations to achieve all strategic and operational
objectives. Previously, Mr. Battista served as Chief Executive Officer
of Network Solutions, Inc. since October 1996 and as a director since
November 1996. As CEO, he was responsible for developing and
implementing strategic planning initiatives for Network Solutions,
overseeing development of corporate purpose and mission, strategic
objectives, business development programs, alliances and key strategic
relationships; identification, acquisition and development of key senior
personnel; proactive development of NSI’s Governance policy; and
acquisition of the capital resources necessary to meet the company’s
long-term strategic objectives. Prior to joining Network Solutions, Mr.
Battista served as CEO of Cable & Wireless, Inc., the nation’s largest
telecommunications services provider that exclusively serves businesses.
He is credited with leading the company to the position of a major
provider of telecommunications services to small- and medium-sized
business establishments. Cable & Wireless, Inc., is now recognized as
the premier market-driven, customer focused company in that segment. He
is also credited with leading the worldwide cable and wireless group in
the development of a global Internet Infrastructure. From February 1991
to September 1995, Mr. Battista served as President and Chief Operating
Officer at Cable & Wireless, Inc. and from December 1987 to February
1991, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of National Telephone
Services, a long distance operator service company. From 1985 to 1987,
Mr. Battista served as President of US Sprint’s Eastern Group, where he
was responsible for the total management of the $500 million sales and
services group for business customers in the eastern states. His career
also includes senior management positions at GTE Telenet and General
Electric Information Services (GEIS). Mr. Battista received a BSEE from
Villanova University, an MSEE from Drexel University and an MBA from
Temple University. Mr. Battista also serves as a director of Axent
Technologies, Inc., Capitol College, Systems & Computer Technology
Corporation (SCT), Online Technologies Group, Inc. (OTG), The Greater
Washington Board of Trade and VIA Networks. He is also a registered
Professional Engineer in the State of Pennsylvania.