management announcement aware ebs grown significant part enron ebs blockbuster movies demand announcement week merrill lynch put confirms tremendous inroads enron made telecommunications business 8 expect deal springboard enabling ebs accomplish even greater things believe ebs integral enron success becoming increasingly important greater interaction among ebs senior management corporate leadership houston based business units short determined necessary ceo based houston although portland office remain integral part ebs joe hirko ceo ken rice chief commercial officer accomplished great things believe completely qualified fill ceo role moving forward however joe decided stay portland family reasons result ken assume role ceo ebs effective immediately joe unfortunately decided leave enron want recognize joe role making ebs success started business demonstrated value enron management brought team together create ebs vision believe ebs continue grow succeed ken leadership throughout 19 year career enron consistently driving force building businesses please join us wishing joe ken great success