Metaldyne Announces Executive Personnel Changes

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Nov. 14, 2005 -- Metaldyne has announced the following executive personnel changes, effective immediately.

Linda Theisen has been named vice president, Quality, Six Sigma and Process, reporting to Chairman, President and CEO Tim Leuliette. In this role, Theisen leads Metaldyne's quality initiatives, Metaldyne University, and the company's focus on Six Sigma, including implementing process improvements in key operational and commercial areas. Theisen joined Metaldyne in 2003 as vice president of Supply Chain Management. Before joining Metaldyne, she was vice president of Purchasing for AutoAlliance, International, a Mazda Motors/Ford Motor Company joint venture. Prior to AutoAlliance, Theisen worked in various purchasing positions for Ford Motor Company including director, interior and electrical purchasing for Ford Europe in London for two years. Theisen holds a Master's degree in labor relations as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in packaging engineering from Michigan State University.

Myra Moreland has been appointed vice president, Customer Relations, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, also reporting to Leuliette. In this expanded role, Moreland continues to oversee the company's Corporate Affairs function, including employee communications, public relations, government relations and investor relations. In addition, Moreland assumes additional marketing and customer responsibilities. Prior to joining Metaldyne in 2003, Moreland was founder and president of Moreland Communications, a full-service communications company deeply rooted in the automotive industry. In that role, she worked with companies such as DaimlerChrysler, the former New Venture Gear, SKF and Valeo on projects such as public relations/media plans, customer sales and marketing efforts, internal communication plans and strategic planning. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.

Doug Grimm has been named vice president of Commercial Operations - Powertrain Group, reporting to Tom Chambers, president of Metaldyne Powertrain. In this role, Grimm is responsible for Sales, Purchasing and Program Management activities within the Powertrain Group. Grimm joined Metaldyne in 2001 as vice president of Supply Chain Management. Most recently he served as vice president and general manager of Metaldyne's Control Systems division, where he was responsible for the overall management of the division. Previously, he was vice president and general manager of Metaldyne's North American Forging division. Before joining Metaldyne, Grimm served as vice president of global strategic sourcing at Dana Corporation, where he was responsible for Dana's global purchasing operations. Grimm started his career with Chrysler Corporation, where he held various management positions in procurement and supply. Grimm holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Detroit Mercy.

Dan Brinker has been named vice president of Sales and Engineering - Chassis Group, reporting to Joe Nowak, president of Metaldyne Chassis. In this role, Brinker is responsible for Engineering and Sales for the Chassis Group. Prior to his current position, Brinker served as the Chassis Group's vice president of Engineering, where he directed the design and development of Metaldyne's chassis innovations such as the mini-corner module and the patented Dynaturn(TM) process. Before that, Brinker was director of Engineering of Metaldyne's former Wheel-End and Suspension Group for eight years, playing a key role in the company's evolution as a world-class supplier of wheel-end components. Prior to joining Metaldyne in 1990, Brinker worked as a sales and applications engineer for LeRoy Industries in Southfield, Michigan and an applications engineer for NTN Bower. He began his career as a mechanical engineer in the Military and Aerospace Industry, working for General Dynamics and Kelsey-Hayes Aerospace Division. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Lawrence Technological University.

Dennis Cutright has been named vice president of Advanced Manufacturing for Metaldyne's Chassis Group, reporting to Nowak. In this role, he is responsible for advanced manufacturing, program management, strategic operational initiatives, continuous improvement and lean manufacturing across the Chassis Group. Most recently, Cutright was Metaldyne's vice president of Quality. Since joining Metaldyne in 1999, he has held various positions focused on quality and continuous improvement. Before that, he worked in roles associated with process re-engineering, leadership development, quality system implementation and Lean Manufacturing methodologies for companies such as Masco Corporation, EMCO, Keeler Brass, Harmon Motive, TRW and Motorola.

Tom Worswick was named vice president of Advanced Manufacturing, Powertrain Group, reporting to Chambers. Worswick joined Metaldyne in January of this year as the Group's director of Advanced Manufacturing. Before joining Metaldyne, Worswick served as director of the Metals business unit at Ligon Brothers Manufacturing. In 2003, he founded Global Resources Group, a company providing assembly, packaging, sorting and contract labor services emphasizing employment of developmentally disabled adults. Before that, Worswick served as vice president of Piston Automotive in Detroit. He has also held various management positions at ITT Automotive, and he began his career at General Motors as a project engineer in 1988. Worswick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan. He also holds dual graduate degrees from Stanford: a master's of business administration and master's of manufacturing systems engineering.

About Metaldyne

Metaldyne is a leading global designer and supplier of metal-based components, assemblies and modules for transportation-related powertrain and chassis applications including engine, transmission/transfer case, wheel-end and suspension, axle and driveline, and noise and vibration control products to the motor vehicle industry.

Headquartered in Plymouth, Mich., Metaldyne has annual revenues of approximately $2.0 billion. The company employs over 7,500 employees at 45 facilities in 14 countries.

For more information, please visit http://www.metaldyne.com/ .