Featherlite `Strengthens Management Structure'
CRESCO, Iowa--July 8, 2002--James Wooley promoted to President of Featherlite Luxury Coach
Division; Preston Watts named Vice President of Sales and Service
for Featherlite Luxury Coach Division
Featherlite, Inc. , a leading manufacturer and marketer of specialty aluminum trailers and luxury motorcoaches, has announced two promotions in its Luxury Coach Division. Both according to Conrad Clement, president and CEO of Featherlite, Inc., further solidify the management structure of the nation's largest Prevost Bus conversion company.
James S. Wooley has been named president and chief operating officer of the Featherlite Luxury Coach Division. Mr. Wooley was serving as vice president of operations and chief operating officer of the division when the promotion was made.
The division, headquartered in Sanford, Florida, manufactures the Featherlite Vantare' H3-45 and XLII Prevost conversions for individuals and corporations.
"Jim Wooley has made a tremendous contribution to Featherlite Luxury Coaches," Mr. Clement said. "His management skills run deep and taking the responsibilities as president of the Featherlite Luxury Coach Division further strengthens the Company's top management structure."
Jim Wooley's tenure at Featherlite Luxury Coaches began in Feb., 2001. Prior to joining Featherlite, he served as president and chief executive officer of Alternative Resource Technologies, Inc. of Tulsa. Mr. Wooley has been CEO or COO of five firms, including Tuloma Energies, Inc., a publicly traded oil field services company. An experienced corporate business strategist, Mr. Wooley brings to his expanded role at Featherlite Luxury Coaches an aggressive marketing philosophy, astute planning and an adherence to exacting inventory and expense management procedures.
Prior to his entry into business, Mr. Wooley was managing partner of Hall, Stockwell and Wooley, an Oklahoma law firm specializing in corporate counsel representation of Fortune 500 subsidiaries and small to mid-size corporations.
"The dedication and support I have received from our Featherlite Vantare' employees since coming to the Company has enabled us to achieve, much quicker, our objective of producing the finest quality and most innovative Prevost conversion on the market today," Mr. Wooley said. "Our appreciation and dedication to our customers are never more evident than in the aftermarket support provided by our service personnel to insure that each customer's coach is maintained and serviced with the same high standards that go into building their Featherlite coach. I look forward to continuing to lead Featherlite Luxury Coaches and its employees to exceed their own expectations and to introducing new and exciting innovations to our line of coaches."
Also announced, Preston Watts has been promoted to vice president of sales and service for the Company's Luxury Coach Division.
Mr. Watts has over 20 years experience in manufacturing and 12 years experience in banking and finance. He joined Featherlite Luxury Coaches in 1996 as a cost accountant. He was promoted to manufacturing accounting manager and later to director of sales administration and service.
"As vice president, Preston Watts will head our efforts in developing strategies, objectives and programs for the sales and marketing activities of the organization," Mr. Wooley commented. "His background in business, manufacturing and finance will serve Featherlite Luxury Coaches well as we implement our strategic initiatives to continue to advance the organization's competitive position."
"The luxury coach lifestyle is a growing market offering many exciting opportunities," Mr. Watts said. "Our customers know there is no better way to see America, witness exciting events, make new acquaintances and keep in touch with old friends than in a Featherlite Vantare'. Others find the Vantare' essential to their business operations. The opportunity for me to be a part of this exciting industry and share ideas for innovation is very rewarding. We have extraordinary customers, and they know the door does not close after the sale. In fact, at Featherlite that is where the relationship really begins."
About Featherlite Luxury Coaches
Featherlite Luxury Coaches manufactures the Featherlite Vantare' H3-45 and XLII Prevost conversions. It is the nation's largest Prevost conversion manufacturers. Besides its operations in Sanford, Fla., Featherlite Luxury Coaches maintains sales and service facilities in Mocksville, N.C., and Cresco, Ia., and a west coast sales office in Coburg, Oregon. With these and 16 authorized service centers strategically located in the United States, Featherlite Luxury Coaches serves the needs of coach owners regardless of their brand affiliation. Featherlite Luxury Coaches is "Official Coach" of NASCAR, Indy Racing League (IRL) and the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).
EDITOR'S NOTE: For photos, contact Michaelle at 563-547-6000, ext. 1293.