MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AutoZone, Inc.
(NYSE: AZO) today announced new responsibilities and additions to the
company's senior management team. Mike Longo, currently Senior Vice President
of Store Operations, AZ Commercial and ALLDATA has been named the company's
new Senior Vice President, Growth Initiatives. An eleven year veteran of the
company, Longo will lead the development of new projects and coordinate with
merchandising, marketing, store operations, and AZ Commercial to drive sales.
Longo will continue to report directly to Steve Odland, Chairman, President,
and CEO, and remain a member of the company's Executive Committee.
Joining AutoZone will be Steve Handschuh, the current President of NAPA
Auto Parts. Handschuh will become Senior Vice President, AZ Commercial and a
member of the company's Executive Committee, and will report directly to Steve
Odland. Through various leadership responsibilities for all sales and
marketing programs, Handschuh spent the last seventeen years at NAPA building
the wholesale business. AZ Commercial, which is the fastest growing segment of
AutoZone's business, sells parts, accessories and supplies to service chains,
as well as up and down the street professional technicians.
Also, Brad Bacon, Vice President and General Manager of Store Operations,
will become Senior Vice President, Store Operations. Reporting directly to
Steve Odland, Bacon will also become a member of the company's Executive
Committee.
"We have made significant strides over the past few years in developing
both our retail and AZ Commercial businesses," said Steve Odland. "With these
management changes we have positioned our company to continue to build on that
successful platform. All three of these individuals are proven leaders and
their combined experience and expertise will help us to continue to drive
profitable growth and shareholder value."
As of November 22, 2003, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts,
chemicals and accessories through 3,259 AutoZone stores in 48 states plus the
District of Columbia in the U.S. and 50 AutoZone stores in Mexico and also
sells the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software. On the web, AutoZone
sells auto and light truck parts through www.autozone.com .
SOURCE AutoZone, Inc.
CONTACT: Financial Information, Brian Campbell, +1-901-495-7005, or
brian.campbell@autozone.com, or Media Information, Ray Pohlman,
+1-901-495-7962, or ray.pohlman@autozone.com, both of AutoZone, Inc.