Okuma Corporation (Japan) board of directors has approved the promotion of Takeshi (Tad) Yamamoto to the position of Chairman and CEO. The position has been vacant since Kirk Kitagawa returned to Okuma Corporation Japan in 2008. Tad was formerly with Okuma America Corporation (OAC) in operations planning from February 1994 to July 2002 when he returned to Japan. Tad re-joined the OAC family as Executive Vice President and Operating Officer in July 2008. For more information contact: Mindy Mikami Okuma America Corporation 11900 Westhall Drive Charlotte, NC 28278 704-588-7000 / Fax: 704-588-6503 www.Okuma.com