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For further information:
Bruce Hotze, CEO
Compressor Engineering Corporation
5440 Alder
Houston, Texas 77081
(P) 713-663-1831
(F) 713-664-6444
bruceh@ceconet.com
www.ceconet.com

CECO Friends Fulfill BP MS150 Rider’s Dream

Co-worker Now Battles MS on New Road Bike

HOUSTON, TEXAS. March 24, 2009. A new Marin Portofina road bike with special components was rolled into Susan Bickham’s office at Compressor Engineering Corporation (CECO) on Friday, January 30, 2009.  The bicycle will enable Bickham to fulfill her goal of riding in the BP MS150, a 2-day ride from Houston to Austin on April 18th and 19th  this year which will raise money for research into Multiple Sclerosis and support for those afflicted by the crippling disease.

“I have never been more touched than when the guys rolled that awesome bike in to my office and presented it to me,” exclaimed Bickham.  “CECO prides itself on being a family company, but that has never been more evident.  It was an overwhelming gesture and a wonderful surprise but completely in character with this close knit group who are more like brothers than co-workers. This was a gift from the heart.” 

Six CECO associates contributed to the cause:  Joe Miniot, Justin Russell, Gene Thompson and Bill Zeis had watched Bickham train on a bike designed more for dirt than road.  So, with major support from CECO executives Bruce Hotze and Jim Hutton, they purchased the road bike for Bickham from a local dealer.  Bickham broke in the bike during the recent Guaranty Bank Tour de Houston on March 22.

CECO employees have a long history of supporting the BP MS150, never thinking that one day they would be riding for one of their own.  “We are excited to continue to support the BP MS150 for our 19th year and
we are proud to have Susan on our team to help find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis,” said Bruce Hotze, CEO
of CECO.

In 2009, CECO will send six riders as part of the Spectra Energy team.   Mark Hotze and Catherine Jones are also training for the endurance event.  CECO also supports the Spectra team by cooking dinner for them in LaGrange on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday.

Bickham praised the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  “Since I was diagnosed with MS last spring the MS Society has been an invaluable source of information, encouragement and hope to me and my family.  Support of the MS Society is truly appreciated by me and all the other 400,000 people living with this horrible disease and gets us closer to a cure,” Bickham said.

People who would like to support Susan Bickham and the other BP MS150 riders should consider making an online donation by linking on Bickham’s photo at www.ceconet.com or www.ms150.org.

CECO is the world’s largest independent manufacturer of engine and compressor replacement parts.  Customers include gas pipelines, gathering and processing companies, petrochemical, industrial and refrigeration plants worldwide.  In addition, CECO Pipeline Services provides new construction and a variety of maintenance services to pipeline operators.  CECO’s ACTT division provides testing and training to compressor and engine operators.  CECO, headquartered in Houston, also has facilities in Odessa, Texas and Walker, Louisiana.  More information about CECO and its subsidiaries is available at www.tryceco.com.

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