Mr. Katona, age 39, has 17 years of progressively responsible and successful experience as a senior financial executive, most recently as Chief Financial Officer of Creation Group, Inc., based in Elkhart, Indiana.
He replaces Timothy L. Burke, who resigned as CFO of Starcraft to pursue other business interests.
Mr. Katona is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science degree - Accounting from Indiana University. His responsibilities at Creation Group included financial performance and revenue growth, public company reporting information, mergers and acquisitions, consolidations, systems improvements, and project management.
Creation Group is a $150 million division of the OEM automotive supplier Dura Automotive Systems, Inc. , based in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Creation Group designs and manufactures windows, doors and specialty products for a wide range of vehicular and housing applications. The company operates 11 manufacturing facilities and employs over 1,200 people.
Mr. Katona is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Indiana Society of CPAs. He also is active in the local community.
Starcraft President and Chief Operating Officer, Michael H. Schoeffler, said, "Joe Katona brings a record of strong financial management and accounting expertise to Starcraft. Under his financial leadership, Creation Group has grown into a very successful niche supplier to the recreational vehicle and manufactured housing industries. I know that he will play a key role in the exciting plans we have for growth and profitability at Starcraft."
Starcraft Corporation, through its joint-venture ownership interest in Tecstar, LLC, is a leading supplier to the OEM automotive supply market. It also supplies after-market parts and accessories to wholesale and retail customers throughout North America.
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding Starcraft's business operations and outlook. Investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the level of customer demand, competitive pressures, labor and operational issues, dependence on and compliance with GM customer contracts, and other important factors detailed in the Company's Form 10-K for fiscal 2002 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.