webMethods Inc, the leading provider of integration software enabling Global Business Visibility, announced that William A. Halter was elected to the company's board of directors at the 2003 annual meeting of stockholders. Halter is the former deputy commissioner and acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) and previously served as a senior advisor in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, an executive office of the president. Halter will bring significant knowledge and experience in the public sector, as well as his background in management consulting, to the webMethods board.

Halter has extensive experience with the public sector. As the acting commissioner and deputy commissioner of the Social Security Administration, he was responsible for the overall operation and direction of one of the largest financial services organizations in the world. Prior to his role at SSA, Halter held high profile advisor positions in the Clinton administration, serving as Senior Advisor, Director's Office, Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President, and as senior policy advisor to the Clinton/Gore 1992 campaign. Halter also held the positions of chief economist to the United States Senate Committee on Finance and economist for the Joint Economic Committee of Congress.

"Bill's wealth of experience in economics and public policy make him an ideal choice for webMethods' board of directors," said Phillip Merrick, chairman and CEO of webMethods Inc. "As we continue to look to the public sector as a tremendous growth area, his background in that market can help us to strengthen the ties that drive our business. We welcome him to our board and look forward to a fruitful relationship."

In the past several years, Halter has served on the boards of market-leading companies and one of the nation's top universities. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors for Akamai Technologies Inc and InterMune Inc. Previously, Halter held a board position with FirstGov. Halter is actively involved with Stanford University, having served on its Board of Trustees for seven years and chairing the Academic Policy, Planning and Management Committee. He is also a member of Stanford University's Humanities and Sciences Council and of the advisory council for the Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources. Previously he served on the National Advisory Board of Stanford University's Haas Center for Public Service.

"webMethods' ability to maintain a solid, healthy business despite the difficult economic environment is a tribute to the company's business acumen and a testament to the importance of its software to the world's leading organizations," said Halter. "I look forward to working closely with the company and providing whatever guidance I can to help further its growth."

A Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, Halter has taught university classes on economics and public policy for Stanford University.

R. James Green and Robin Vasan were re-elected to the webMethods' board at the 2003 annual meeting of stockholders, and the stockholders ratified the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent public accountants to webMethods for its current fiscal year.