Veeco Picks Prez

WOODBURY, N.Y. -- Veeco Instruments Inc. (Nasdaq: VECO - News) today announced the promotion of Don R. Kania, Ph.D., to President of the Company. Dr. Kania currently serves as President of Veeco's Metrology division, and will now assume responsibility for all of Veeco's Metrology and Process Equipment Business Units. Dr. Kania will report to Edward H. Braun, who remains Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. "This is an important step in strengthening our management team in anticipation of future growth for Veeco. Don has made significant contributions to Veeco's success," commented Mr. Braun. As President of Veeco's Metrology group from 1999 through 2002, the division remained Veeco's most profitable and grew from approximately $110 million to over $150 million in revenues despite difficult market conditions. "We are confident that his industry expertise, operating skills, strong technology background and strategic vision will enable him to lead Veeco in our next phase of growth. Don and I are optimistic about the strength of Veeco's technology and growth prospects as our end-markets recover," added Mr. Braun. Veeco's Business Unit managers in Metrology and Process Equipment will now report to Dr. Kania. Dr. Kania, 48, joined Veeco in 1998 as Chief Technology Officer and later served as VP/General Manager of Veeco's Atomic Force Microscope business in Santa Barbara, CA. Prior to joining Veeco he was a senior manager at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Dr. Kania has a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in Nuclear Engineering, an MSE in Nuclear Engineering, an MS in Physics and a BS in Physics and Nuclear Engineering. Veeco Instruments Inc.