WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., DEC. 6, 2004 – James E. Sproull, Jr., Senior Vice President, Corporate Bank Operations, for SunTrust Banks, Inc., has been elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the March of Dimes, it was announced today.

March of Dimes trustees, who serve as volunteers, represent the public in governing the organization and advancing its mission to save babies from birth defects, infant mortality, and premature birth. 

"Jim Sproull is one of our most experienced and dedicated volunteers -- he understands the mission,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, President of the March of Dimes.  

Mr. Sproull has been a volunteer for the March of Dimes since 1986 and a member of the national Board of Trustees since 1997. He is Chair of the Revenue Development Committee and a member of the Executive Committee.  He previously served as chairman of the organization's National Office of Volunteers, and also served the North Central Florida chapter of the March of Dimes as chairman of the board and as chairman of the Alachua County's annual WalkAmerica. He does frequent speaking engagements for the March of Dimes.

An electrical engineering graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Mr. Sproull received a J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law. A 20-year veteran of SunTrust, he was previously Chairman, President and CEO of SunTrust Bank in Gainesville, Florida.

Mr. Sproull has served as president of most of the large community-wide organizations in Gainesville, including United Way and the Chamber of Commerce.  Mr. Sproull and his wife, Linda Rudd Sproull, now reside in Atlanta.