Kelley Blue Book Set to Expand Business Under New CIO Justin Yaros

No. 1 Automotive Information Company Commits to New Technological Initiatives

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 27 -- Technology veteran and former CIO of Twentieth Century Fox, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Pinnacle Systems, Justin Yaros has joined top automotive company Kelley Blue Book, (www.kbb.com) as CIO. Yaros' chief responsibilities include overseeing the growth and expansion of the company's core vehicle information systems database, assist in building new Internet-powered marketing and data distribution systems, and cutting edge dealer software products.

Yaros will also play a crucial role in the company's Executive Leadership Team as technology has become central to Kelley Blue Book's overall growth and ability to house, manage and mine nearly 80 years of new and used vehicle data. Kelley Blue Book's current Executive Leadership Team, which includes President and Publisher Paul Johnson, Chief Financial Officer John Morrison and Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing Stephen Henson, is responsible for the company's explosive growth over the last five years. With the addition of Yaros to the Leadership team, the company looks to continue on its growth path developing innovative dealer and industry products as well as ground-breaking consumer applications for its No. 1 Web site kbb.com.

"Justin joins Kelley Blue Book at a time when we are accelerating our investment in technology to increase our competitive advantage in the dealer marketplace and among consumers on the Web," said Paul Johnson, president and publisher, Kelley Blue Book. "Justin will be a key player within the company and Executive Leadership Team implementing forward-looking strategies that will help us maintain our leadership and bring new world-class products and services to the marketplace."

Yaros has plans to significantly grow and possibly double Kelley Blue Book's IT staff over the next year to support several new initiatives. Major initiatives include upgrading the company's vehicle information database, expanding its dealer product and service offerings and implementing new initiatives on the Web.

"While I have always had an interest in cars, it was the company's brand recognition and leadership in the automotive industry that significantly influenced my decision to join Kelley Blue Book," said Yaros. "I'm thoroughly impressed by the company's leadership and the opportunity to work within an organization where technology is central to its growth and success."

Yaros holds degrees from both Penn State and the University of Redlands. He currently resides in Palos Verdes, California.