Maryland Department of Transportation
The Secretary's Office

May 24, 2001

JOANN R. GAYNOR
COLUMBIA FOCUS, LLC
3300 NORTH RIDGE ROAD, SUITE 280
ELLICOTT CITY, MD 21043

Dear JOANN R. GAYNOR

CERTIFICATION NO. DOT MBE 01-171

    Pursuant to the Maryland Department of Transportation Minority Business Enterprise
(MBE) Program (COMAR 11.01.10) and the Maryland Department of Transportation
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, your firm has been certified as a MBE/DBE.
This certification entitles your firm to do business with the Maryland Department of
Transportation, State of Maryland, as a MBE/DBE in the following area(s): MARKET
RESEARCH. In the near future, your firm's name will be listed in the Maryland Department of
Transportation's Minority Business Enterprise/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Directory. This
Directory is used by prime contractors and consultants seeking minority subcontractors and/or
consultants to perform work on projects let by the Department/Agencies of the State of
Maryland.

    Any changes in ownership and control (for example: stockholders, officers, directors) of
your firm as well as any changes in its address or telephone number, must be reported immediately
to John B. Covert, Deputy Director, office of Minority Business Enterprise, Maryland
Department of Transportation. Each year your firm will again be contacted for recertification.

    If you need advice concerning the unique problems of a minority business you may wish
to contact the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs (OMA) for assistance. The Governor's
Office of Minority Affairs may be reached at the following address:

Governor's Office of Minority Affairs
6 Saint Paul Street, #1502
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 767-8232

Sincerely,
Katie Knowlin, Director
Minority Business Enterprise Advisory Committee

KK:dal
Enclosures