Spartan Motors Announces Retirement of CFO James Knapp

CHARLOTTE, Mich., May 29, 2009 -- Spartan Motors, Inc. today announced that senior vice president, chief financial officer, chief compliance officer and treasurer James Knapp will be retiring from the company within the next few months.

Knapp, 63, has been Spartan's chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer for the past seven years, senior vice president since 2004 and chief compliance officer since 2008. Spartan Motors, the leading manufacturer of custom chassis and emergency-rescue vehicles, said it has initiated a search for Knapp's successor led by the board of directors with assistance from a national executive search firm.

"Jim has been an integral part of our senior management team in what has been the most rapid period of Spartan's growth in our history," said John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors. "We are grateful for his leadership and wisdom, and want to thank him for his lasting contributions as well as for his assistance in making this a smooth transition as we search for his replacement."

Sztykiel added: "Jim leaves big shoes to fill, but we are also excited about the opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to Spartan and to continue to build on our long-term track record of sales and earnings growth and healthy financial position."