Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW Ranks Among the Top 100 Companies to Work for in America VERNON HILLS, Ill. - January 23, 2002 - The CEO shaved his head to celebrate reaching a sales goal, coworkers downed more than 80,000 free bagels, and the company basketball tournament was decided by a thrilling last-second three point shot -- all in a year not atypical for CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDWC), a leading provider of technology products and services. After posting record sales and earnings for 2001 despite the economic downturn, CDW coworkers had another reason to celebrate this week - for the fourth year in a row, the company earned a position on FORTUNE magazine's list of "The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America." At No. 13 on the list, CDW is the only company in Illinois to be recognized for a culture that is centered on coworkers. Based on surveys completed by coworkers at hundreds of companies, the list recognizes those businesses that enjoy the highest levels of trust, pride and camaraderie among coworkers and management, coupled with practices that support a coworker-friendly environment. "In this tough economic climate, maintaining a positive and productive workplace is a reflection of the determination and resiliency of our coworkers," said John Edwardson, CDW chairman and chief executive officer. "We've never subscribed to the belief that perks equal culture. Instead, we create and sustain a rewarding, empowering culture that is built on mutual respect and mutual reward. Coworkers know that when they work hard for our customers, the company will share with them the rewards of our collective success." CDW's performance-based culture is reflected throughout the company's environment, as well as compensation and benefit structure. CEO John Edwardson recently challenged coworkers with an unusual bet. He offered to shave his head if third quarter sales goals were met. Edwardson delighted coworkers at a company function when he announced the goal was met, and his head was then shaved to the sounds of a barbershop quartet. Although everyone loves a show, coworkers are proudest of the company's bottom line performance. To ensure that everyone shares the benefits of the company's performance, all coworkers receive stock options. More than 80 percent of coworkers receive bonuses tied to some measure of productivity for their specific areas. The company matches coworkers' charitable donations and gives tenure-based coworkers paid trips if certain company sales goals are achieved. CDW also offers coworkers training for personal and career growth. A key program is "CDW University," which consists of sales and product training for account managers; advanced certification courses for information technology teams that interact with both coworkers and customers; and professional development courses for all coworkers. The company provides benefits that contribute to a healthy work-life balance, such as a subsidized fitness center and childcare center at the company's headquarters, adoption assistance, free bagels, donuts and fruit for breakfast twice a week, onsite dry cleaning drop-off, and more. Candidates for FORTUNE's "Best Companies" list were selected after a lengthy evaluation that included an audit of materials provided by each company documenting working life and people practices; a comprehensive survey of workplace culture; and an evaluation of comments from individual employees. The magazine compiled the list with the help of Robert Levering and Milton Moskowitz, best-selling authors of "The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America." Eligible companies had to be at least seven years old and have at least 500 full-time employees. About CDW CDW® (Nasdaq: CDWC), ranked No. 435 on the Fortune 500, is a leading provider of technology solutions for businesses, government agencies and educational institutions nationwide. CDW is a principal source of technology products and services from companies such as Cisco, Compaq, Computer Associates, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Toshiba and other top name brands. CDW distributes contracts to end users for customized and standardized on-site services provided directly by firms such as Compaq Global Services and DecisionOne and for training programs provided by KnowledgeNet and Productivity Point International. CDW was founded in 1984 as a home-based business and today employs more than 2,700 coworkers whose efforts generated net sales of $3.96 billion in 2002. CDW's direct model offers one-on-one relationships with highly trained account managers; purchasing by fax, telephone, the company's award-winning www.cdw.com Web site or customized CDW@work™ extranets; custom configured solutions and same day shipping; flexible financing solutions; and pre- and post-sales technical support, with more than 100 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians on staff. Additional information can be found by visiting CDW.com.