STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 24 -- Pitney Bowes Inc. has announced that its chairman and CEO Michael J. Critelli has been named the 2004 recipient of the Human Capital Advantage Award by Hunt- Scanlon Advisors, a market research firm tracking the human capital and executive recruiting industries. This annual award is designed to recognize a leading chief executive who has displayed excellence in human capital management while increasing shareholder value. Mr. Critelli will accept the award at Hunt-Scanlon's "Human Capital Advantage Forum: Sustaining Momentum" to be held September 22 and 23 in New York City at The Waldorf-Astoria. Mr. Critelli has been chairman and CEO of Pitney Bowes since 1997 and holds four U.S. patents for mailing technology. Prior to becoming chief executive officer, Mr. Critelli served in various capacities at the company, including vice chairman, president - Financial Services, secretary and general counsel, and chief personnel officer. Critelli is also chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National Urban League, chairman of the Connecticut Regional Institute for the 21st Century and serves on the board of Eaton Corporation. He received a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Under his leadership, Pitney Bowes has enhanced its core business and introduced new products, services and solutions that have grown the company's share of the $250 billion global mail and document management markets. "I am pleased to accept the Hunt-Scanlon Human Capital Advantage Award that recognizes Pitney Bowes' long-standing focus on growing and developing our people," said Mr. Critelli. "In particular, this award provides well- deserved acknowledgment to our people and their commitment to innovation and excellence as we help organizations of all sizes engineer the flow of communication. We know that our success -- past, present and future -- is driven by the wealth of talented people we have at Pitney Bowes." Within the last year, Pitney Bowes has received numerous accolades for its workforce, including being named to "The Top 20 Companies for Leaders" and designated as the No. 1 company in corporate diversity by DiversityInc. Magazine. "Michael Critelli has a long commitment of recognizing that human capital is critical to driving growth and success," said Scott A. Scanlon, chairman and CEO of Hunt-Scanlon. "His approach to attracting, retaining and developing talent has created a human capital culture that is loyal, motivated and dedicated. We could not have selected a more ideal award recipient this year."