News from Recreation USA
Following is the latest news from Recreation USA. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 616.233.0500. Thank you for your interest in Recreation USA. Jill Ward Associate Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc Phone 616.233.0500 Fax 616.233.0600 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Mary Ann Sabo, Jeff Lambert Lambert, Edwards & Associates (616) 233-0500 (mail@lambert-edwards.com) Recreation USA Names Casey Gunnell as Chief Financial Officer Industry Veteran Brings Strong Background & Industry Expertise to RV Dealership Chain FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 11, 2001 - Holiday RV Superstores, Inc. today announced it has appointed Casey Gunnell, a veteran financial executive with nearly three decades of professional experience, to serve as senior vice president and chief financial officer. The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based RV and marine retailer, which operates under the tradename Recreation USA, said that Gunnell brings an extensive background in finance and corporate management to the Company. In his new positions, Gunnell will oversee all finance and accounting operations for Recreation USA and assist with growing the profitability of the Company. He fills the post formerly occupied by Hardee McAlhaney, who resigned in January 2001. "Casey is a great addition to the senior management team of Recreation USA," said Marcus Lemonis, president of Recreation USA. "His leadership experience, coupled with his knowledge of the consumer products, automotive markets and mergers and acquisitions, fits our operating model perfectly. We expect he will make immediate and significant contributions to Recreation USA as we continue to integrate our acquisitions into a single brand that sets the leadership standard in our industry." Gunnell brings a broad background of skills and expertise to his new post, including extensive experience with start-ups, operational issues, turnarounds, mergers and acquisitions, and business integrations. He has more than two decades of automotive experience, including one year as senior vice president and CFO for AutoNation USA, Inc., a subsidiary of Republic Industries, Inc., which is now automotive retailer AutoNation, Inc. . Gunnell was a key player early in the startup of AutoNation's Used Car Super Stores, in combination with key market consolidation of new vehicle retail franchises. Prior to joining AutoNation, Gunnell spent 19 years in a variety of financial and management positions at JM Family Enterprises, a $5 billion privately owned group of automotive-related companies, including a distributorship responsible for Toyota vehicles and parts in five Southeastern states. Gunnell rose to the rank of executive vice president and chief financial officer during his tenure at JM. Most recently, Gunnell served as chief operations officer and CFO at PNV, Inc., a Florida provider of telecommunications services to truck drivers. During his brief tenure at PNV, Gunnell guided the publicly traded company through a bankruptcy and sale of its assets. Gunnell has also worked as a financial and management consultant, and in leadership roles for a number of diverse companies, including Bob and Jack's Trucking Company LLC, which he founded in 1998. "We plan to leverage Casey's wide-ranging management and financial expertise in the automotive market as we integrate the dealerships that have joined the Recreation USA family," Lemonis said. "As we continue to grow through strategic alliances and low-cost initiatives, such as our recently announced RV auction, Casey's experience in investor relations, strategic planning and financial development will provide us with an experienced leader to guide key transactions." Gunnell holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Florida Atlantic University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of CPAs. He is on the board of trustees for the Florida Atlantic University Foundation and serves as chairman of the Investment Committee. About Recreation USA: With the addition of its new auction division, Recreation USA will operate 16 retail stores in California, Florida, Kentucky, New Mexico, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Recreation USA, the nation's only publicly traded national retailer of recreational vehicles and boats, sells, services and finances more than 90 RV and 13 boat brands. The Company also markets its offerings through its Internet site at www.RecUSA.com. # # #