Spartan Motors, Inc.

The following is news regarding Spartan Motors, Inc. . If you
have any questions, please call Jeff Lambert or Ben Buursma at 616.233.0500.
Thank you for your interest in Spartan.

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 For Immediate Release


New Chairman, CEO Take Helm at Spartan Motors Annual Meeting;


Company Adopts New Board-Selection Guidelines


 

Co-founder, CEO & Chairman Retires After 27 Years 

 

CHARLOTTE, Mich., June 12, 2002 - Spartan Motors, Inc. today
announced its new board chairman and new chief executive officer took their
official posts at the Company's annual shareholder meeting held yesterday in
Charlotte, Mich.

 

The Charlotte-based manufacturer of motorhome chassis, fire trucks and
emergency-rescue vehicles said independent director David Wilson, a veteran
automotive and heavy-truck executive, became the non-executive chairman of
the Spartan Motors board of directors.  John Sztykiel, a 17-year veteran of
the Company who had served as President and COO, filled the post of chief
executive officer.  Previously, the two positions had been held by George
Sztykiel, who co-founded the Company in 1975.  Sztykiel announced his
retirement last year.  

 

"George's contributions over the past 27 years have been immense, helping
Spartan Motors grow from a one-garage start-up to an international company
with a reputation for excellence and innovation," Wilson said.  "The culture
and principles he helped instill in Spartan Motors over the last
quarter-century will carry forward with the board and executive management
team - all of whom have played an integral role in the Company's performance
over the past 18 months."

 

Spartan also announced it has adopted new selection guidelines for
prospective board members and is launching a search for a new independent
director.  The Company said it will seek out potential directors who display
key traits, including integrity, strategic thinking and a strong financial
background, among others.

 

Spartan Motors was one of the best-performing stocks on the NASDAQ Stock
Market since 2001, more than tripling in value last year.  The Company has
continued its growth trend in 2002, trading recently at $13.30 per share, a
108 percent increase since the first of this year.

 

Spartan Motors, Inc. (www.spartanmotors.com) is a leading developer and
manufacturer of custom chassis for motorhomes, fire trucks, ambulances and
other specialty vehicles.  The Company also owns three fire and rescue
vehicle manufacturers, Luverne Fire Apparatus and Quality Manufacturing, and
ambulance maker Road Rescue, Inc.

 

### 

Contact: John Sztykiel, Chief Executive Officer

              Spartan Motors, Inc. (517) 543-6400

              or

              Jeff Lambert, Ben Buursma (mail@lambert-edwards.com)

              Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc. (616) 233-0500

 
 
Benjamin Buursma
Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc.
Grand Rapids, MI
P: 616.233.0500 F: 616.233.0600 
E: bbuursma@lambert-edwards.com