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INTERVIEWS AND PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

MEDIA CONTACTS:  Allison Foullois, Epsen Fuller/IMD International Search

                                           Group, 973/359-9929 x 305 allison@epsenfuller.com

INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL APPOINTS NEW CEO

Epsen Fuller/IMD was Retained on this International Search

Morristown, N.J. (June 14, 2006) – Executive search firm, Epsen Fuller/IMD International Search Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Evren Keles as Chief Executive Officer for the VKV Healthcare Organization and American Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey.

Currently a Fellow and Professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California San Francisco, Dr. Keles is a leading authority on neuro-oncology.  Dr. Keles will return to his native Turkey to lead the continued growth and expansion of the broad healthcare facilities under the VKV Healthcare Organization umbrella to include the establishment and accreditation of a full medical university and teaching hospital program.  Current CEO, George D. Rountree, will remain active during the transition of his successor, and until his retirement in 2007.

With close working affiliations with notable US hospitals to include Columbia University/New York Presbyterian, The Medical College at Cornell University, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Methodist Hospital System, the VKV American Hospital is a 25 year-old internationally recognized healthcare facility owned and funded by the Vehbi Koç Foundation, the oldest large scale private foundation in Republican Turkey. 

“This is an exciting opportunity to operate and drive the future expansion of a fully accredited institution in an exotic location, serving 120,000 patients annually, not only the local population but also from throughout the geographic region, to include countries such as Kosovo, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine,” said Thomas Fuller, general managing partner of Epsen Fuller/IMD.  “This is a very visible role with exposure at the highest levels both nationally and internationally.”

Epsen Fuller/IMD International Search Group was retained on this international assignment, which was led by Mr. Fuller with the assistance of partner, Mark Williams and principal, Joe Ryan.

About KOÇ Holdings

Established in 1926, Koç Holding operates in the automotive, durable goods, food, retailing, energy, financial services, tourism, construction and IT industries.  The shares of 22 Koç Group companies are traded at the Istanbul Stock Exchange and the Group has consolidated 118 companies, 87,000 employees and 12,000 dealers as well as agencies and after-sales services. Koç Group operates having in mind international standards in the areas of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, environmental protection, customer satisfaction and human resources.

About  Vebhi KOÇ Foundation

The Vehbi Koç Foundation, the first large scale private foundation in Republican Turkey, was established by Vehbi Koç on January 17, 1969, with the aim of reviving Turkey's foundation tradition, a tradition which had been on the verge of disappearance.

With its focus on education, health-care and culture, the Foundation strives to improve conditions in a modern and ever-developing Turkey. Its fully funded projects include Sadberk Hanım Museum, the first private museum in Turkey, the Koç Private High School and Koç University, the Vehbi Koç and Ankara Research Center and the Suna-İnan Kıraç Research Center for Mediterranean Civilizations, the Kaleiçi Museum, The American Hospital, Private Admiral Bristol Vocational School in Health Care, and Semahat Arsel Education and Research Center in Nursing.

About Epsen Fuller/IMD International Search Group

Headquartered in New York, Epsen Fuller/IMD International Search Group, www.epsenfuller.com, is the world’s 9^th largest retained executive search and consulting firm with 175 consultants and 51 offices in 23 countries around the globe. With global reach and borderless search capability, Epsen Fuller/IMD conducts assignments for senior management talent throughout the technology, aerospace & defense, healthcare & life sciences, consumer products and luxury goods, retail, and financial and professional services industries.