SANTA ANA, CA—May 22, 2009—Robert L. Farnsworth, founder and CEO of Sonnet Technologies, Inc. from Irvine, CA has been named the 2009 Exporter of the Year by the Small Business Administration, Santa Ana District Office. District Director J. Adalberto Quijada announced this selection and complimented Farnsworth for his understanding and leadership in international business. Robert Farnsworth was nominated for this award by Cristophe Gravereau, CEO of Platinium Multi-Media, a business associate located in France.

Sonnet Technologies, Inc. is a world-leading computer hardware upgrade-company with a product line featuring a range of reliable storage solutions for professional users of Macintosh®, Window ® and UNIX® systems in the film, video and broadcast industries. The company was founded in October 1986 and has pioneered and brought to market innovative solutions that enhance the performance and connectivity of Macintosh and industry-standard computers. While economic forces have, in recent times, forced many small businesses to close, Sonnet has maintained steady revenues through its far-reaching sales successes.

Farnsworth has lead Sonnet Technologies on a path of steady growth for more than 23 years. Sonnet has excelled as a small business largely because of its adept management and expansion of its export business. While U.S. sales are strong, Sonnet exports its products internationally, with 50 percent of the company’s revenues generated through international exports. The company’s award-winning storage products also are sold through a global distribution network, and sales through these channels increased 9 percent overall in 2008.

Under Farnsworth’s leadership, the company has always recognized the importance of building an international presence, and today, meeting the stringent requirements of the domestic and export markets. The success of Sonnet as a small business exporter lies not only in the quality of the company’s technology and products, but also in its dedication to customer service, attention to detail and creative approach to global marketing. Sonnet maintains multilingual sales and marketing staff and is available both to North America and international customers around-the-clock, scheduling its California-based technical support and other staff for shifts that correspond to business hours in other parts of the world. Sonnet maintains a direct international presence through attendance and demonstrations at trade shows and conventions worldwide. By building personal, face-to-face relationships with customers in the global markets, the company has been able to strengthen existing relationships, build new partnerships, and increase exports and revenues. The feedback gathered through these relationships has been critical to Sonnet’s continued innovation of products suited to markets and users around the globe.

Sonnet Technologies focuses not only on delivering high-quality products in an environmentally sensitive manner, but also on incorporating locally made parts into Sonnet solutions. By working with other California-based vendors, Sonnet is able to maintain a high standard of quality, develop new products more quickly, and help to build a strong local business and technology community.

Farnsworth is a devoted family man with three daughters who lives in Irvine, Ca. He holds bachelors and masters degrees in electrical engineering from Ohio State University and an MBA from University of California, Berkeley. He has 30 years of experience in the computer industry in engineering, marketing and sales with companies including IBM and Apple Computer. Mr. Farnsworth is an avid hockey fan and is active in roller hockey, water sports and basketball. He has many passions and one of them is his commitment to higher education. Farnsworth is a long time supporter of the University of California, Irvine, and is a member of the UCI CEO Roundtable. Farnsworth is a contributor to California’s “TechNet” and a member of other industry organizations.

Farnsworth and other small business owners and champions will be honored at the 46th Annual Small Business Week Awards event on June 4th hosted by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in the Yuhaviatam Room at 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland, CA.

For more information contact, Jennifer Hoff at 951-781-2345, ext. 246 or
jhoff@iesmallbusiness.com