O'Reilly Automotive Names Paul Lederer to Board of Directors

    SPRINGFIELD, Mo.--Feb. 27, 2001--Paul R. Lederer has been appointed to the O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. ("O'Reilly," the "Company") board of directors effective February 16, 2001.
    Lederer was previously an O'Reilly director from April 1993, until his voluntary resignation in July 1997. He was Executive Vice President of Worldwide Aftermarket of Federal-Mogul Corporation from February 1998, until his retirement in October 1998; President and Chief Operating Officer of Fel-Pro, Inc. from November 1994, to February 1998, when it was acquired by Federal-Mogul Corp.; Executive Vice President of Stant, Inc. from October 1991, to December 1992; and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Epicor Industries, Inc. from November 1989, to October 1991. Federal-Mogul Corp., Fel-Pro, Inc., Stant, Inc. and Epicor Industries, Inc. are all automotive parts manufacturers.
    "It is an honor to have Paul Lederer rejoin our board of directors," said David O'Reilly, co-chairman and chief executive officer of O'Reilly. "Paul's valuable and extensive understanding of the automotive aftermarket will be very beneficial to our company. He will also serve as a member of the board's audit committee."
    Mr. Lederer is currently a director of R & B, Inc., Woods Equipment Co., FPM, Inc., Icarz.com and Trans-Pro, Inc. He also serves as a member of the advisory boards of Richco, Inc., Turtle Wax, Inc., Ampere Products and The Wine Discount Center.
    O'Reilly Automotive is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. Founded in 1957 by the O'Reilly family, the Company operated 672 stores within the states of Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska and Illinois as of December 31, 2000.