Alain J. P. Belda Elected To IBM Board of Direc...

IBM
                  

The IBM (NYSE: IBM) board of directors today elected Alain J. P. Belda to the
board, effective July 29, 2008. Mr. Belda, 65, is chairman of Alcoa Inc.

Samuel J. Palmisano, IBM chairman, president and chief executive officer, said:
'Alain is an exceptional business leader with a broad and deep understanding of
the global marketplace, and his experience and knowledge will be an asset to
IBM. We are delighted that Alain will be joining the IBM board.'

Mr. Belda's career with Alcoa began in 1969, and he subsequently held various
executive positions. From 1979 to 1994 he was president of Alcoa Aluminio S.A.
in Brazil, Alcoa's Brazilian subsidiary. He was named executive vice president
in 1994, vice chairman in 1995, president and chief operating officer in 1997
and president and chief executive officer in 1999. Mr. Belda was chairman and
chief executive officer from 2001 until he was named to his current position of
chairman earlier this year.

Mr. Belda holds a degree in business administration from Universidade Mackenzie
in Brazil. He is a director of Citigroup Inc.

When Mr. Belda joins the IBM board on July 29, 2008, the board will have a total
of 12 members.

-0-
*T
IBM
Edward Barbini, 914-499-6565
[e-mail]
*T