WorldCom to Replace Sidgmore

CLINTON, Miss. -- WorldCom, Inc. (WCOEQ, MCWEQ) today announced its first steps toward a post-restructuring management structure. WorldCom, through it’s President and Chief Executive Officer John Sidgmore, today formally announced it is actively seeking a permanent chief executive officer for the company. Mr. Sidgmore always intended for his appointment in April 2002 to be an interim solution in response to the swift departure of WorldCom's former CEO. When Mr. Sidgmore was appointed as CEO, his charter was to turn around a great company and to restructure its financial position. Mr. Sidgmore had always intended to bring the company to a point of stability and to hire a new CEO.Mr. Sidgmore will remain in his current position as president and CEO until a successor can be retained, which the company believes can be accomplished in an accelerated timeframe. At that time Mr. Sidgmore will return to his role as vice chairman. Bert Roberts will continue in his role as Chairman of the Board."I have concluded that having moved WorldCom through the initial phase of the bankruptcy process now is the appropriate time for the company to initiate a search for a long-term CEO," said Sidgmore. "By returning to my vice chairman role, after the search is complete, I, along with Bert Roberts will be able to remain active in a strategic capacity while our new CEO manages the day-to-day operations of the company and the overall bankruptcy process."Additionally, WorldCom has been adding highly qualified members to its Board of Directors and will continue to seek additional members who bring a diverse set of skills to its existing Board. C.B. Rogers, Jr., former CEO of Equifax, Inc. was elected to the WorldCom Board on August 29, 2002.WorldCom Inc.