MY SINCEREST CONGRATULATIONS TO AN OLD FRIEND

I first met Patrick Brandt in a Creative Writing class at Southern Methodist University back in 1995.  We became fast friends and, I'm pleased to say, that friendship continues to this day.  And so, it is with great pleasure that I’m posting the following article by Steven E.F. Brown of the “San Francisco Business Times.”  Congratulations, Patrick!  -Dax

Oracle Corp. to buy Skywire Software from Hall Financial Group

Monday, June 23, 2008

Database giant Oracle Corp. agreed to buy Skywire Software for an undisclosed price.

Redwood Shores-based Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) is led by CEO Larry Ellison. Skywire, based in Frisco, Texas, near Dallas, makes software used by insurance and finance companies and in law. Led by CEO and President Patrick Brandt, Skywire has 650 workers and is a subsidiary of Hall Financial Group.

Hall Financial, a real estate development and management company, is also based in Frisco and owns several vineyards in Napa Valley -- Sacrashe, Napa River Ranch, Hall Estate "Bergfeld," Hardester and Walt Ranch. The company was started by Craig Hall, formerly a part-owner of the Dallas Cowboys, and he runs it with his wife, Kathryn Walt Hall.

Oracle expects the deal to close in the second half of the year.