LWSN Lawson Software, Inc. (MM)

Lawson Software (Nasdaq: LWSN) today announced that president and chief executive officer Jay Coughlan will leave the company following an agreed-upon transition period. Lawson's board of directors today named Harry Debes to be the president and CEO of the new company to be formed from Lawson's announced offer to acquire Sweden-based Intentia International (see separate Lawson news release issued today). Debes will join Lawson June 15. Coughlan has served as Lawson CEO since February 2001 and president since March 2000. He has been a member of the board of directors since April 2000. He joined the company in 1987. "After 18 years with Lawson, this was a difficult decision for me but with the combination of Lawson and Intentia and after a lot of discussion with my family, I felt the timing was right," Coughlan said. "I am fully supportive of the direction we have set for the company and I continue to believe in Lawson, its people and its future. I very much appreciate the support and counsel of Richard Lawson and of our board in my decision." "Jay guided Lawson during a period of tremendous growth and led our successful transition from a private firm to a public company," said Richard Lawson, chairman and founder, Lawson Software. "His strong business skills, management ability, leadership, and above all, his values will have a lasting impact on Lawson and our people. I am grateful for what Jay has done for our company the past 18 years and support him in this decision. He leaves behind a solid legacy of leadership and success." About Lawson Software Lawson Software provides business application software and consulting services that put time on the side of services organizations in the healthcare, retail, government and education, banking and insurance and other markets. Lawson's software suites include enterprise performance management, distribution, financials, human resources, procurement, retail operations and service process optimization. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., Lawson has offices and affiliates serving North and South America, Europe, and Africa. Lawson Software and Lawson are registered trademarks of Lawson Software, Inc. All rights reserved. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that contain risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements contain statements of intent, belief or current expectations of Lawson Software, Inc., and its management. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the potential results discussed in the forward-looking statements. The company is not obligated to update forward-looking statements based on circumstances or events that occur in the future. Risks and uncertainties that may cause such differences include but are not limited to: uncertainties in the software industry; global military conflicts; terrorist attacks in the United States, and any future events in response to these developments; changes in conditions in the company's targeted service industries; increased competition and other risk factors listed in the company's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as included in other documents the company files from time to time with the Commission.