MILWAUKEE, March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) today announced that former IBM human resources leader J. Thomas Bouchard and businessman Willie D. Davis have been nominated to its board of directors, to take office following Manpower's Annual Meeting of Shareholders on 1 May, 2001. They will fill positions vacated by Newton N. Minow and Gilbert Palay, who are retiring from the board.

"We are fortunate to be joined by directors of the stature of Tom Bouchard and Willie Davis," Manpower president and chief executive officer Jeffrey A. Joerres said. "They bring an exceptional range of knowledge and insight to their positions, and we look forward to their counsel and contributions to Manpower's continued global growth."

Bouchard joined IBM in October of 1994 as senior vice president, human resources, and a member of its Corporate Executive Committee and Worldwide Management Council. He helped lead a major transformation of IBM until his retirement in August 2000.

Before joining IBM, Bouchard served as senior vice president and chief human resources officer for US WEST, Inc. He previously spent 15 years with United Technologies, where he served in a variety of senior human resources executive positions.

Bouchard is just finishing his term as chairman of the board of directors of the LPA (Labor Policy Association); sits on the board of HealthNet, Inc., Nordstrom fsb and Concept Five Technologies; is a trustee of the American Indian College Fund; and was elected by his peers as a Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources. He received his bachelor's degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Davis currently is president and owner of All Pro Broadcasting Inc., which operates radio stations in California and Wisconsin. He previously served as owner and president of West Coast Beverage Company. Before that, he enjoyed a Hall of Fame career in the National Football League.

Davis brings to Manpower experience on several large-company boards, including Sara Lee Corporation, Kmart Corporation, Dow Chemical Company and MGM, Inc., among others. His deep interest in education is reflected in his positions as a trustee of the University of Chicago, Occidental College and Marquette University. He also is a member of the Grambling College Foundation and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Development Committee.

Davis holds a bachelor's degree from Grambling State University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

"Both Newton Minow and Gilbert Palay made major contributions to Manpower's development during their tenure on our board, and the wisdom and guidance they provided will continue to benefit our company for many years to come," Joerres said.

Minow, who served as a director for 10 years, is counsel to the law firm of Sidley & Austin, where he was a partner for more than 25 years, and is a director of Aon Corporation and Moore Corporation. Among other accomplishments, he serves as Annenberg University Professor of Communications Policy at Northwestern University, was chairman of the Federal Communications Commission under President Kennedy and was a member of Arthur Andersen's Public Review Board.

Palay, a board member since 1974, held a variety of senior management positions during his more than 25-year career at Manpower, including principal financial officer, senior executive vice president of the company and senior executive vice president of its former principal operating subsidiary.

Manpower Inc. is a world leader in the staffing industry, providing workforce management services and solutions to customers through 3,700 offices in 59 countries. The firm annually provides employment to more than 2.7 million people worldwide and is an industry leader in employee assessment and training. Manpower also offers organizational performance consulting services worldwide through its independent operating division, The Empower Group. More information on Manpower Inc. can be found at the company's website, http://www.manpower.com . More information can also be found about The Empower Group at its website, http://www.empowergrp.com SOURCE Manpower Inc.

CONTACT: Tracy Shilobrit of Manpower Inc., 414-906-6088, [email protected]