Exhibit 99(b) CONSENTS OF PERSONS TO BECOME DIRECTORS OF AVA FORMATION CORPORATION -------------------------- Each of the undersigned, severally, hereby consents to being named in Registration Statement No. 333-131872 of AVA Formation Corp. ("AVA") as a person who, subject to the conditions contemplated in such Registration Statement, will become a director of AVA after the Effective Time (as defined in such Registration Statement) and further consents to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement. /s/ Erik J. Anderson ---------------------------------------- Erik J. Anderson /s/ Kristianne Blake ---------------------------------------- Kristianne Blake /s/ Roy Lewis Eiguren ---------------------------------------- Roy Lewis Eiguren /s/ Gary G. Ely ---------------------------------------- Gary G. Ely /s/ Jack W. Gustavel ---------------------------------------- Jack W. Gustavel /s/ John F. Kelly ---------------------------------------- John F. Kelly /s/ Jessie J. Knight, Jr. ---------------------------------------- Jessie J. Knight, Jr. /s/ Michael L. Noel ---------------------------------------- Michael L. Noel /s/ Lura J. Powell ---------------------------------------- Lura J. Powell, Ph.D. /s/ Heidi B. Stanley ---------------------------------------- Heidi B. Stanley /s/ R. John Taylor ---------------------------------------- R. John Taylor