Frank Russomanno Board’s Director, Emrise

EMRISE Corp., a multi-national manufacturer of defense, aerospace and industrial electronic devices and communications equipment, announced the appointment of former Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Imation Corp. Frank P. Russomanno to its Board of Directors, effective March 1, 2011.

The EMRISE Board has voted to authorize an expansion of the Board from four to seven directors and Russomanno’s appointment will fill one of the vacancies created by that expansion.

  Russomanno, 63, is a veteran executive with experience in global operations in the electronics and technology industries, noted EMRISE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Carmine T. Oliva. Under Russomanno’s direction, Imation began its transformation from a solely data storage manufacturer to a brand and product management company with a portfolio of strong global brands and expanded product offerings.

"We are especially pleased to have an executive with Frank’s credentials, industry standing and broad global business experience on our board," Oliva said. "Frank brings us a range of skills and expertise gained not only as a senior manager and leader, but in such areas as sales, marketing and product and business development. This is an important time for EMRISE, as we continue to pursue our strategy to profitably grow the Company and enhance stockholder value. Frank will be a valuable asset and play a key role in providing important strategic guidance as we focus on organic growth and assess the mergers and acquisitions we believe will also help drive the expansion of EMRISE throughout 2011 and beyond.  We welcome Frank to the board and look forward to his counsel as we pursue our goal of fulfilling the potential we created for EMRISE following last year’s significant debt reduction, balance sheet improvements and concentration on new product and business development."

Russomanno, who resides in the Twin-Cities area of Minnesota, served as Vice Chairman of Imation from March 2009 and Chief Executive Officer of Imation from April 2007 until he retired from the Company in May 2010. He also served as President of Imation from April 2007 to March 2009 and served as a member of the Imation Board of Directors from April 2007 until he retired.

Previously, Russomanno was Chief Operating Officer of Imation from November 2003 to April 2007 and from November 2006 to April 2007 was also acting Chief Executive Officer and President. Prior to November 2003, Russomanno was president of Imation’s Data Storage and Information Management business.

Russomanno began his career with 3M Company in 1973 and served at Imation since its spin-off from 3M Company in 1996. During his tenure with Imation and 3M Company, Russomanno held various other executive and managerial positions, including Vice President of Imation Data Storage Media and Services business, General Manager of Imation Advanced Imaging Program, Corporate Sales and Marketing Director and Global Sales and Marketing Director for Photo Color Products. He also served as a European Business Unit Director resident in France while with 3M Company.

"I believe my background and direct experience leading the operations of a large, diverse organization can be applied to helping the management of an entrepreneurial-driven company like EMRISE overcome challenges and grow, particularly at this important juncture in its history," Russomanno said. "I have had a longstanding interest in helping a smaller technology company with the potential and promise of EMRISE meet the challenges of a global economy. Serving on the Board of EMRISE will allow me to gain greater insight into the market dynamics impacting companies today and I look forward to helping EMRISE grow and prosper."

Russomanno has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Seton Hall University. He has taken graduate courses at the University of Oklahoma and Monmouth College and served in the U.S. Army as an artillery officer in Vietnam, achieving the rank of Captain.

He is active in industry and nonprofit organizations. Russomanno is the former chairman of the board of the Content Delivery & Storage Association (CDSA). He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Twin Cities United Way. In addition, he is a former board member of Merrick Community Services in St. Paul, MN.