MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO), today
named Mike Longo, 39, to the position of senior vice president, stores. He
was serving as the company's senior vice president, supply chain. Bill
Rhodes, 35, will fill the vacancy created by Longo's move. Rhodes was
previously senior vice president responsible for the company's stores in the
Mid-South. Rhodes' replacement has not yet been named. Both positions will
report to Tim Vargo, AutoZone's president and COO.
"Mike's move from supply chain to operations is one that will greatly
benefit the largest piece of our business, our stores. And Bill's addition to
supply chain will serve to strengthen the tremendous team Mike has assembled
there. Mike and Bill are very competent leaders and dedicated AutoZoners. I
couldn't be more excited about these new opportunities for both of them," said
Vargo.
Longo joined AutoZone in 1992 as regional manager of distribution. In
1996, he was named vice president, distribution. He became senior vice
president of that area in 1998. Prior to AutoZone, Longo was a captain in the
U.S. Army. In his final post he taught economics at the United States
Military Academy at West Point. He is a graduate of West Point and holds an
MBA from the Harvard School of Business.
Rhodes joined AutoZone in 1994 as director of process improvement. In
1997, he was promoted to vice president of operations analysis and support.
He was named senior vice president, finance, in 1999. Last year, his
responsibilities shifted to operations, where he oversaw stores in the Mid-
South. Before coming to AutoZone, Rhodes served as an audit manager for Ernst
& Young. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin and holds
an MBA from The University of Memphis.
AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories
through 2,972 AutoZone stores in 42 states plus the District of Columbia in
the U.S. and 13 AutoZone stores in Mexico. AutoZone also sells heavy-duty
truck parts through 49 TruckPro stores in 15 states, and automotive diagnostic
and repair software through ALLDATA. On the web, AutoZone sells diagnostic
and repair information through alldatadiy.com, and auto and light truck parts
through AutoZone.com.
Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking
statements. These statements discuss, among other things, expected growth,
domestic and international development and expansion strategy, business
strategies and future performance. These forward-looking statements are
subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including without limitation,
competition, product demand, domestic and international economies, government
approvals, inflation, the ability to hire and retain qualified employees,
consumer debt levels and the weather. Actual results may materially differ
from anticipated results. Please refer to the Risk Factors section of Form
10-K for the year ended August 26, 2000, for more details.
SOURCE AutoZone, Inc.
CONTACT: media, Andrew Burns, 901-495-7313, or financial, Emma Jo
Kauffman, 901-495-7005, both of AutoZone, Inc./