Four Senior Executives at Johnson Controls Appointed to New Leadership Posts in Auto Business

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Aug. 26 -- Automotive interior supplier Johnson Controls has appointed four top executives to new positions, effective immediately. Rande Somma was named President, Automotive Systems Group. In this new post, he will be responsible for directing the company's global automotive interiors business. Jeff Edwards was appointed group vice president and general manager, North America. In this role, he will be responsible for the company's automotive business and operational activity in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Mike Lamach was named group vice president and general manager, Asia- Pacific and Japan. In this position, he will be responsible for company's automotive business and operational activity in the Asia-Pacific region and Japan. Gregg Sherrill was appointed group vice president and managing director, Europe, South Africa and South America. In this role, he is responsible for the company's automotive business and operational activity in Europe, South Africa and South America. Somma reports to John Barth, who currently serves as president and chief operating officer, and will become Johnson Controls' president and chief executive officer (CEO) on October 1, 2002. Somma also has additional reporting responsibilities to Giovanni (John) Fiori, the company's executive vice president and president, Johnson Controls International. Edwards, Lamach and Sherrill report to Somma.

The changes support efforts at the company's Automotive Systems Group to realign global resources to better serve its customers. Johnson Controls is a leading, global supplier of automotive seating and interior systems.

In 2000, Somma became head of the North American business for the automotive interiors unit. Since joining Johnson Controls in 1988, he has held a variety of positions, with responsibility for interior systems, marketing, sales, business development and operations within the company's General Motors and Honda Business Units. He was elected a corporate officer in 1998. Somma is a graduate of Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Edwards joined Johnson Controls in 1984, and brings to his new post a wealth of manufacturing, engineering and customer business unit management experience. Most recently, he was Johnson Controls' group vice president and general manager for product and business development. Edwards also previously served as vice president and general manager of Customer Business Units; and as vice president and general manager of the company's General Motors Business Unit. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Clarion University, in Clarion, Pennsylvania. Edwards is based at the company's Plymouth, Michigan automotive headquarters.

Lamach joined Johnson Controls in 1985, and has served in various sales, sales management and general management positions. He previously served as group vice president and general manager of Customer Business Units. Prior to that, he held a progression of leadership positions within the company's Controls Group. A native of Michigan, Lamach earned a master's degree in business administration from Duke University, and a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University. He will be based in Plymouth, Michigan.

Sherrill joined Johnson Controls in 1998. Most recently, he served as vice president and general manager, North American manufacturing operations. Prior to that, he gained experience in the company's Customer Business Unit organization as head of the Ford, Chrysler Group and Honda customer business units. Before he joined Johnson Controls, Sherrill served in a variety of manufacturing and product development leadership positions in a 22-year career at Ford Motor Co. He is based at the automotive business European headquarters in Burscheid, Germany.

"I am proud to announce these changes in our senior leadership team, which will help us sustain our leadership position as the premier supplier of innovative vehicle interiors in the industry," said Barth.