Hyperdynamics has appointed Herman J. Cohen as a member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. The Company also created a Governmental Relations Committee, of which Cohen will serve as Chairman.

"Herman's knowledge and expertise as a career diplomat and specialist in African affairs will be a significant asset to Hyperdynamics Corporation," said Hyperdynamics CEO Ray Leonard. "His extensive background working with governments and corporations in numerous African countries will be invaluable in helping Hyperdynamics move forward in the exploration of our Guinea concession."

Ambassador Herman J. Cohen is the President of Cohen & Woods International. Established in 1994, the firm provides strategic planning services to African governments and multinational corporations doing business in Africa. The firm is currently under contract to advise the Government of the Republic of Mauritania. A major industrial client is Century Aluminum of Monterey, Calif., which is investing in the Republic of the Congo. The newest client is Contour Global, a New York electric power company that specializes in African power projects.

Cohen retired from the U.S. State Department in November 1993. His last position prior to retirement was Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under President George Bush (1989-1993). During his 38-year career with the U.S. Foreign Service, he served in five African countries and twice in France. He was the American Ambassador to Senegal, with dual accreditation to Gambia, from 1977 to 1980. During assignments in Washington, D.C., Cohen served as Special Assistant to President Reagan for African Affairs (1987-1989), Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Research and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Personnel.

From 1994 to 1998, under contract to the World Bank, Cohen was a Senior Advisor to the Global Coalition for Africa, an intergovernmental policy forum that worked to achieve consensus between donor and African governments on economic development strategies.

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