Kaczmarek brings four decades of automotive, heavy truck industry experience to Spartan Board
CHARLOTTE, Mich., Feb. 24, 2003 — Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR) today announced Ken Kaczmarek, a veteran automotive and heavy-truck executive with nearly four decades of experience in finance, has been appointed as a member of its board of directors.
The Charlotte, Mich.-based manufacturer of motorhome chassis, fire truck chassis and emergency vehicles said Kaczmarek brings nearly 40 years of finance and accounting experience to Spartan Motors board. The Company said he will serve on the board’s audit committee, which is chaired by independent director Charles Nihart. Kaczmarek’s appointment expands the number of Spartan Motors board members to seven, four of which are independent.
“Ken will make an excellent addition to the Spartan Motors board and the audit committee,” said David Wilson, chairman of the board of Spartan Motors. “We went through a comprehensive process to identify and interview candidates in order to select the right person. Ken brings unique knowledge and insight gained from nearly forty years in the automotive and premium heavy-truck industries, combined with a strong finance background. In particular, his experience working for a high-end premium manufacturer like Volvo Truck will be invaluable to Spartan.”
Wilson continued: “With Ken’s appointment, more than half our board members are independent, building on our commitment to strong corporate governance.”
Kaczmarek began his career in the automotive industry as a budget analyst for Chrysler Corporation, before moving to American Motors where he held increasingly senior roles, becoming the company’s assistant corporate controller. In 1981, Kaczmarek joined Volvo Truck North America as its chief financial officer and executive vice president of finance. Kaczmarek also served as the first president and chief operations officer of Volvo Truck Finance in the mid-1990s. Recently, Kaczmarek was a consultant for Volvo Bus Group, Volvo Car Finance, and Volvo Truck North America, which is a high-end premium manufacturer.
“I’m honored to join the board of Spartan Motors, which has a strong reputation for innovation, quality and service in the motorhome, fire truck, ambulance and emergency-rescue markets,” Kaczmarek said.
About Spartan Motors
Spartan Motors, Inc. (theshyftgroup.com) is a leading developer and manufacturer of custom chassis for recreational vehicles and fire trucks. The Company also owns fire apparatus manufacturer Crimson Fire, Inc. and ambulance manufacturer Road Rescue, Inc.
The statements contained in this news release include certain predictions and projections that may be considered “forward-looking statements” by the securities laws. These forward-looking statements are identifiable by words or phrases indicating that the Company or management “expects” or “believes” that a particular result may occur, or similar statements. These statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products, services and prices. Additional information about these and other factors that may adversely affect these forward-looking statements are contained in the Company’s reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after the date of this news release.