Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW Board Authorizes Share Repurchase Program and Elects Susan D. Wellington to Board of Directors VERNON HILLS, Ill. - July 30, 2002 - CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDWC), a leading provider of technology products and services, today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a new share repurchase program of up to 2.5 million shares of Company stock. This newly authorized repurchase amount is in addition to the remaining 316,624 shares available under CDW's previously announced repurchase program, bringing the total shares available for repurchase to 2.8 million. These purchases may be made from time to time in both open market and private transactions, as conditions merit. The new repurchase program is expected to remain effective through July 2004, unless earlier terminated by the Board. The previously announced program was approved by the Board in January 2001 for the repurchase of up to 5 million shares of Company stock through the end of January 2003. Through July 29, 2002, the Company had repurchased a total of 4,683,376 shares at a total cost of $190,752,876 (an average share price of approximately $40.73 per share). The Company intends to hold the repurchased shares in treasury for general corporate purposes, including issuances under various employee stock option plans. "This increased authorization reflects the confidence held by our Board and our management in CDW's successful operating model and ongoing business prospects," said John A. Edwardson, CDW's chairman and chief executive officer. In addition, CDW announced that Susan D. Wellington was elected to the Company's Board of Directors at a Board meeting on July 25, 2002. Wellington most recently served as president - U.S. Beverages of The Quaker Oats Company, a division of PepsiCo, where she accelerated revenue growth significantly over four years and helped lead Quaker's efforts to merge with Pepsi. Previously, she held several marketing positions in the Gatorade business at Quaker, including vice president marketing - U.S. Gatorade. She led several initiatives including the launch of the successful "Is It in You?" campaign. "Sue is exceptionally qualified to help support CDW's goals of continued profitable growth and increased market share," said Edwardson. "Her incomparable marketing background in launching and leading some of the country's most recognized brands and marketing campaigns will prove valuable as we continue to build CDW's national brand awareness." Wellington, a recreational triathlete, is on the Board of Trustees for the Women's Sports Foundation, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and the American College of Sports Medicine. She has been called one of the Top 10 Most Powerful Women in Sports by Sports Business Journal and has been named to BrandWeek's Power 50, Advertising Age's Top 100 and Crain's Chicago Business' 40 Under 40. Wellington holds a B.A. in Math and Economics from Yale University. This release contains statements that are forward-looking (that is, not historical in nature), including statements concerning the Company's projected sales and earnings per share. Such forward-looking statements are based on the Company's beliefs and expectations as of the date of this release and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which may have a significant impact on the Company's business, operating results or financial condition. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described herein. The following risks and uncertainties, among others, may have an impact on the accuracy of forward-looking statements contained in this release: the continued acceptance of the Company's distribution channel by vendors and customers, the continuing development, maintenance and operation of our IT systems, the timely availability and acceptance of new products, continuation of key vendor relationships and support programs, changes and uncertainties in economic conditions that could affect the rate of IT spending by our customers, changes in pricing by our vendors, and the ability of the Company to hire and retain qualified account managers. Additional discussion regarding these and other factors affecting the Company's business and prospects is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About CDW CDW® (Nasdaq: CDWC), ranked No. 414 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 top name brands such as Cisco, Compaq, Computer Associates, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft and Toshiba. CDW distributes contracts to end users for customized and standardized on-site services supplied directly by providers such as Compaq Global Services and DecisionOne and for training programs provided by firms such as KnowledgeNet and Productivity Point International CDW was founded in 1984 as a home-based business and today employs more than 2,800 coworkers whose efforts generated net sales of approximately $4 billion in 2001. 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 phone and online technical support, with more than 100 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians on staff.