CHARLOTTE, Mich., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Spartan Motors, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SPAR) today named former GE Aviation executive Thomas Kivell as vice
president and general counsel. Kivell brings 20 years of legal experience to
the position, including extensive experience in the areas of government and
military contracts, as well as specialty vehicles.
Kivell will be responsible for Spartan’s legal and compliance activities,
including managing the legal process of contracting with customers, the U.S.
military and other U.S. and international government agencies, directing the
company’s legal compliance and supporting the Spartan’s strategic initiatives.
Kivell was previously general counsel for the digital systems unit of GE
Aviation, a $1 billion designer and manufacturer of systems for aviation and
ground vehicles, and served in legal and contract management roles for General
Dynamics Land Systems.
“Given the rapid growth of our business over the last several years and
the resulting complexity of our operations, coupled with the increased legal
and regulatory compliance requirements associated with our military vehicle
business, it’s clear we needed an experienced, strategic general counsel on
our management team,” said John Sztykiel, president and chief executive
officer of Spartan Motors. “We are pleased to land someone of Tom’s caliber,
and expect his experience will be an important resource in our future growth.”
Kivell joins Spartan from GE Aviation, where he served as general counsel
to its Digital Systems business unit, and its predecessor, Smiths Aerospace,
since 1996. During his tenure there, he was the senior legal staff member
responsible for the Electronic Systems unit of Smiths Aerospace, and served as
the sole attorney for Smiths Aerospace in the United States over a four-year
period. In 2002, he was a founder of a new legal and compliance department
for Smiths Aerospace, unifying several other legal and compliance departments.
Prior to his position with GE Aviation and Smiths Aerospace, he was
co-owner and CEO of a general design and contracting firm. Kivell also
founded and managed a private law practice. In his career, he has also served
in legal counsel and contract management positions for Armored Vehicle
Technologies Associated a joint venture between General Dynamics Land Systems
and FMC Corporation, and with General Dynamics Land Systems. Before beginning
his legal career, Kivell was a project engineer for tracked military vehicle
programs.
Kivell earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Toledo and a
Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan
Technological University. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.
About Spartan Motors
Spartan Motors, Inc. (theshyftgroup.com) designs, engineers and
manufactures custom chassis and vehicles for the recreational vehicle, fire
truck, ambulance, emergency-rescue and specialty vehicle markets. The
company’s brand names — Spartan(TM), Crimson Fire(TM), Crimson Fire
Aerials(TM), and Road Rescue(TM) — are known for quality, value, service and
being the first to market with innovative products. The company employs
approximately 1,400 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina
and South Dakota. Spartan reported sales of $681.9 million in 2007 and is
focused on becoming the premier manufacturer of specialty vehicles and chassis
in North America.
This release contains forward-looking statements, including, without
limitation, statements concerning our business, future plans and objectives
and the performance of our products. Forward looking statements are
identifiable by words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “will,” “sustain,” and
“continue.” These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and
uncertainties that ultimately may not prove to be accurate. Actual results
and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements. Technical complications may arise that could prevent the prompt
implementation of the plans outlined above. The company cautions that these
forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including,
but not limited to, those set forth in the company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K filing and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (available at http://www.sec.gov). Government contracts and
subcontracts typically involve long payment and purchase cycles, competitive
bidding, qualification requirements, delays or changes in funding, extensive
specification development and changes, price negotiations and milestone
requirements. An announced award of a governmental contract is not equivalent
to a finalized executed contract and does not assure that orders will be
issued and filled. Government agencies also often retain some portion of fees
payable upon completion of a project and collection of contract fees may be
delayed for long periods, which can negatively impact both prime contractors
and subcontractors. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update
or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.
11/17/2008
/CONTACT: John Sztykiel, CEO, or Jim Knapp, CFO, both of Spartan Motors
Inc., +1-517-543-6400, or Jeff Lambert or Ryan McGrath
[email protected], both of Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc.
+1-616-233-0500
/Web site: https://theshyftgroup.com
(SPAR)