For Immediate Release   Co-Founder of Graham-Patten Systems, Mike Patten, Dies GRASS VALLEY, CA (September 18, 2000)--Graham-Patten Systems today sadly announced the passing of Michael D. Patten, the company's co-founder, Chief Technology Officer and Chairman, from a stroke at age 53. In 1980, Mr. Patten left GVG to form Graham-Patten Systems. He was the architect and principal design engineer for the company's ESAM and D/ESAM edit suite audio mixers. In 1991, The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recognized Mr. Patten with a Technical Emmy award for the D/ESAM product. Mr. Patten was extremely active with both the SMPTE and AES organizations as an active participant with their "working groups." Mr. Howard Mullinack, CEO and President of Graham-Patten Systems said, "The extent of Mike's loss is incalculable. He was a brilliant engineer and a great friend; liked and admired by everyone with whom he came in contact. While the day-to-day operations of Graham Patten Systems will continue unabated, this is indeed a very sorry day for all of us" The U.K born Patten held a B.Sc. from the University of Birmingham, where he graduated with a first class honors degree. Directly, Mr. Patten joined Standard Telecommunications Laboratories, the British research center of ITT, where he did extensive work on sophisticated digital communications systems. He assisted in the development of the first high-fidelity 12-bit audio digitizers and designed one of the first digitizers for PAL television signals. Mr. Patten joined the Grass Valley Group in 1975 to pursue a career in digital television. He was a major contributor in the design of several of GVG's most successful video production switchers and digital video effects systems. Mr. Patten is survived by his wife, Pamela, his mother and sister. For further information please call Graham-Patten Systems, 530/273-8412 ### D/ESAM® is a registered trademark of Graham-Patten Systems, Incorporated.