Gary Goode Appointed to Gentex Board of Directors

ZEELAND, Mich., March 17 -- Gentex Corporation , the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and commercial fire protection products, today announced that Gary Goode has been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Goode will serve on the audit committee and will qualify as an audit committee financial expert.

Mr. Goode retired in 2001 after serving 29 years with Arthur Andersen LLP, where he had extensive experience working with public companies and companies in the automotive industry. He was the managing partner in the firm's Grand Rapids, Michigan, office for 11 years, and also served in that firm's Detroit and Minneapolis offices.

Mr. Goode is a graduate of Western Michigan University and a Certified Public Accountant. He serves on the Business Advisory Board of Western Michigan University, and is involved in other family and charitable activities including board positions for the Goodwill Industries of Grand Rapids Foundation and Porter Hills Retirement Communities and Services, Inc. He resides in Spring Lake, Michigan, with his wife, Susan.

Gentex Corporation (The Nasdaq Stock Market: GNTX) is an international company that provides high-quality products to the worldwide automotive industry and North American fire protection market. The Company develops, manufactures and markets proprietary electro-optic products, including interior and exterior electrochromic, automatic-dimming Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS(R)) automotive rearview mirrors that dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle headlamps, and an extensive line of fire protection products for commercial applications.

Gentex was the first company in the world to successfully develop and produce a commercial electrochromic mirror for the motor vehicle industry. The Company is the leading supplier of these mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry. Gentex OEM customers include Audi, Bentley, BMW, Daewoo, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia Motors, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Rover, Rolls Royce, Toyota and Volkswagen. Gentex aftermarket/distributor customers include Gulf States Toyota Distributors, Mito Corporation, Southeast Toyota Distributors, Subaru Distributors NE, and Toyota Motor Sales USA.

Founded in 1974, Gentex operates out of four facilities in Zeeland, Michigan; an automotive sales office in Livonia, Michigan; automotive sales and engineering subsidiaries in Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, France and Korea; and four regional U.S. sales offices for the Fire Protection Products Group. The Company is recognized for its quality products, its application of world class manufacturing principles, for its commitment to developing and maintaining a highly skilled workforce, and for encouraging employee ownership of the Company's stock.

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