ABRA Auto Body & Glass Adds National Real Estate Position

    MINNEAPOLIS--Jan. 14, 2002--ABRA Auto Body & Glass announced today that Mark Read has been named National Real Estate Project Manager. Read will work with the Corporate Development team on repair center prototype development, construction management, and lease portfolio administration.
    Prior to joining ABRA, Read was a Construction Manager for Gander Mountain, as well as for several major automotive-related companies, including Tires Plus and Champion Auto Stores. During his tenure he established and developed the construction department, and provided project management for new, remodeled and converted retail facilities. He also implemented a multi-regional preventive maintenance program to reduce on-going operational expenses.
    "Mark Read has over ten years in construction management, and is joining ABRA as we head into a major expansion," stated Jay Trumbower, ABRA's Vice President of Corporate Development. "Throughout his career he has worked at companies that have been on the expansion fast track, so his expertise will be invaluable to us as we rapidly add repair centers to our existing base."
    When asked of his decision to join ABRA, Read responded: "It's always exciting to be with a growth-oriented company because of the challenges and opportunities it brings. ABRA not only offers a company with great growth potential, but they are on the cutting edge of an industry that is redefining itself. I look forward to using my knowledge in construction management to help improve corporate profitability by reducing construction and operation costs."
    Mark and his wife Sue reside in Deephaven, MN with their two children.

    ABRA Auto Body & Glass is a national damaged vehicle repair company specializing in collision repair, paintless dent removal, and auto glass repair and replacement. Started with one repair center in 1984, they have grown to sixty-eight facilities in ten states. Their plans for accelerated national growth over the next several years include acquiring existing facilities and building new locations.