UGN, Inc. Names Hicks, Meseck Business Development Managers

CHICAGO, July 14 -- Dorie Hicks and Grant Meseck have been named business development managers for UGN according to Peter Anthony, president and CEO. In these positions, Hicks and Meseck will develop marketing penetration strategies for UGN's Japanese transplant customers. Hicks will manage the Toyota and Mazda business units and Meseck will manage the company's Honda business. Both will report to Kenta Shinohara, director of sales and marketing.

Prior to joining UGN, Hicks held several positions with DENSO International America, Inc. where he gained valuable experience working with Japanese OEM's. He managed powertrain sales and served as a key liaison between DENSO global divisions and affiliates in Asia, Europe and North America.

Meseck previously worked in various automotive-related positions. Most recently he served as the business unit manager for HP Pelzer Automotive Systems Inc. where he managed technical and commercial matters and lead the development and commercialization of new products. Prior to that, Meseck worked as program manager for Lear Corporation.

"We are pleased to have Dorie and Grant join the UGN team," said Anthony. "Their past experience, education and extensive training will be an asset to our team and beneficial for effective communications with our customers."

Hicks attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree. He received further training in international business, Japanese basic language and belongs to the society of Automotive Engineers.

Meseck attended St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario, where he earned certification as a Mechanical Engineering Technologist.

Headquartered in Chicago, UGN was incorporated in 1986 as a joint venture between Rieter Automotive Systems and Nihon Tokushu Toryo (Nittoku). Rieter's innovative leadership and theoretical acoustics combined with advanced manufacturing processes and quality system design by Nittoku have established UGN as a preferred supplier of acoustic, interior trim and thermal management products to the Japanese transplant automotive industry in North America. For more information on UGN, visit the company's web site at http://www.ugnusa.com/ .

NOTE TO EDITORS: Hicks resides in Evanston, Ill. and Meseck resides in Tinley Park, Ill.