In a move that signals strong support of the RealtorÒ community, Fidelity National Information Solutions (NASDAQ: FNIS), North America’s most comprehensive source for real estate-related information services and technology solutions, today announced the appointment of senior industry strategist Richard “Dick” Ward. Ward, the former director of real estate business for Microsoft’s HomeAdvisor.com, is an Executive Vice President of the rapidly growing real estate service corporation.

FNIS President and COO Eric Swenson announced the appointment stating, "We are excited to have Dick Ward as a key member of the FNIS team. His unique combination of business skills, practical experience and technical knowledge will help focus our growth and market opportunities within the industry. Dick is a respected RealtorÒ who has earned the confidence of the profession. He will work closely with the FNIS executives who manage our TransactionPointÔ platform, public records, lending solutions and MLS software products and services.”

“Fidelity has a track record of financial success that’s been earned by providing real value to their business partners,” observed Ward. “It’s this reputation for excellence that encouraged me to accept this opportunity. At FNIS, we will aggressively seek ways to enhance the role of real estate professionals by helping them enrich the consumer experience of buying and selling homes.”

From industry podiums and periodicals to behind the scenes, Ward is known for speaking and writing candidly about the integration of technology into real estate brokerage and mortgage lending. He is an outspoken advocate for the role of RealtorsÒ and for improving service and value to consumers. During Ward’s tenure at Microsoft, HomeAdvisor.com was named the number one real estate web site for four consecutive quarters by Gomez Advisors, and was the most visited web site in the real estate industry, winning numerous other awards. Heading a team of seasoned real estate professionals, Ward’s group helped launch Microsoft's Realty Desktop and supported the real estate efforts of other Microsoft divisions.

A native of Missouri, Ward became a member of the National Association of RealtorsÒ (NAR) and a top sales agent in the early seventies, and today holds real estate broker licenses in several states. He has served in RealtorÒ leadership positions in local, state and national associations, including multiple terms as a NAR National Director and as a state legislative chairman and political action committee trustee.

Ward has a BS in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia with additional studies in the Honors College and the school’s joint MBA/Law program. As a Navy journalist during the Vietnam era, Ward won awards for managing complex public relations problems including foreign labor relations and nuclear submarine visits to Japan. His current civic activities include serving as Executive Director of VETSÒ, an information service for veterans, and as a trustee of the Urological Research Foundation, a national organization seeking a prostate cancer cure.

Published: February 12, 2002

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