American Tire Distributors Announces New Company Chairman; New President and COO of the Company Named

Asset Caption: Richard P. 'Dick' Johnson Chairman & Chief Executive Officer American Tire Distributors

Asset Caption: William E. 'Bill' Berry President & Chief Operating Officer

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C.--May 7, 2003--The Board of Directors of American Tire Distributors, Inc. appointed Richard P. "Dick" Johnson as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer effective May 5, 2003. Johnson had been the Company's President and CEO since February 2001.
    "As a company, we have worked hard to achieve the growth and success that we have experienced over the last several years," said Johnson, American Tire Distributors' new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "These changes reflect a turning point for our company as we prepare to grow this business by following a strategy of strong customer service, operational excellence, and continued commitment to tire retailers nationwide."
    Prior to his position as President and Chief Executive Officer, Johnson served as President of Heafner Tire Group's Southeast Division, President and Chief Operating Officer of ITCO Tire Company, and President and Chief Operating Officer of Albert Fisher Foods, Inc. ITCO and Heafner are predecessor companies of American Tire Distributors.
    To continue the Company's growth, Johnson named William E. "Bill" Berry, as the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer. Berry has served as American Tire Distributors' Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2001. Prior to Berry's position as CFO, he served as Senior Vice President of Finance for the Southeast Division and Executive Vice President Sales, Marketing, and Business Development, and Corporate Controller for ITCO Tire Company.
    As part of this restructuring, American Tire Distributors has initiated a search for an Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning to focus on new market assessment and long-term planning for the Company.
    "The market is changing at a very rapid pace, and we do not want to let new opportunities go unclaimed due to the daily demands of running a business," said Johnson. "This person will spearhead complex, long-term planning and market assessment projects, quantify appropriate strategic opportunities, and manage the resources to take advantage of emerging business opportunities to move this company forward."
    The Company will also add a Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration to replace the Chief Financial Officer role. This person will direct Credit, Finance, Information Systems, and the Company's treasury function.

    About American Tire Distributors

    American Tire Distributors is one of the nation's largest independent suppliers of tires to the replacement tire market. It operates 62 distribution centers servicing 35 states. The Company is focused on helping independent tire dealers compete with larger retailers by offering the most complete, coast-to-coast selection of tires, wheels and related products and value-added services. American Tire Distributors employs more than 200 people in its Charlotte-area headquarters, distribution center and regional hub and 1,900 employees across its nationwide distribution center network.

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