R.D. Leaman Appointed President of Valeo Sylvania

    SEYMOUR, Ind.--Sept. 27, 2001--Richard D. Leaman has been appointed president of Valeo Sylvania, the 50-50 automotive lighting systems joint venture of Osram Sylvania and Valeo.
    Effective October 1, Leaman will succeed James L. Johnson Jr., who will assume the role of executive vice president and general manager, Global Automotive Lighting for Osram and Osram Sylvania. Leaman will report to both Valeo and Osram Sylvania via the Valeo Sylvania Executive Committee, and will be based in Seymour, Indiana.
    "We welcome Rick Leaman to Valeo Sylvania," said Robert de la Serve, vice president of Valeo Lighting Systems and chair of the Valeo Sylvania Executive Committee. "Since its inception more than three years ago, Valeo Sylvania has become a leader in sophisticated automotive lighting systems for North America. With Rick's leadership, the joint venture will continue to build on this solid performance and grow in the future."
    After joining Osram Sylvania in 1984 as a senior industrial engineer, Leaman's responsibilities included general management of the incandescent lighting strategic business unit, sales and marketing management for Electronic Components & Materials and automotive connectors, as well as plant management of the Watertown, Connecticut facility.
    Leaman received a Bachelor of Science degree in administrative and management science, mathematics and economics from Carnegie-Mellon University. An M.B.A. candidate at Gannon University, he also is a graduate of the Executive Development Program at Babson College.

    Valeo Sylvania, with its headquarters in Seymour, Indiana, designs and manufacturers complex lighting assemblies used in automotive forward, interior and rear lighting applications. The joint venture company has production facilities in Seymour and Queretaro, Mexico, and employs approximately 1,300 associates. For further information, see www.valeosylvania.com.