Management Promotions Announced by Republic Industries'
13 November 1998
Management Promotions Announced by Republic Industries' Automotive Rental Group
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 12 -- Republic Industries, Inc.
announced today a series of management changes in its Automotive
Rental Group. Effective immediately, Jeffry J. Parell is promoted to
President, North American Operations, reporting to William E. Lobeck,
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Automotive Rental Group. Robert
Briggs succeeds Parell as President of National Car Rental, while Karen Beard
succeeds George Gremse as President of Alamo Rent-A-Car. Both Briggs and
Beard will report to Parell.
Commenting on the promotions, Lobeck said, "These management changes will
help us in our continuing effort to build the finest rental car companies in
the world."
Parell will have day-to-day responsibilities for the overall management of
the two companies and will work closely with Lobeck to continue improvements
in all areas of operations. As presidents of the two car rental companies,
Briggs and Beard will have responsibility for their respective company's sales
and marketing effort, airport relations and the development and execution of
their distinctive brand service recipes.
"This is an exciting time for Republic's Automotive Rental Group," Parell
stated. "I believe we have in place a world-class management team to lead the
most talented employees in the industry. Within the Group, we are confident
of our ability to continue the growth of the Alamo and National brands, lift
our customer service to new levels and improve our profitability," he said.
Parell began his career at National in 1987 as a Regional Manager of
Operations, overseeing National's North Central cities. He was promoted to
Regional Vice President, then left National's corporate operations to work
with a National licensee. Returning to National's corporate staff as
Executive Vice President in 1995, he was promoted to President and Chief
Operating Officer in 1997.
Briggs is a car rental veteran who has held a number of sales positions
since joining National in 1980. Prior to being named President, he served as
Corporate Vice President of Sales, Staff Vice President of National Contracts,
Regional Vice President of Sales for the Midwest, Regional Sales Director in
Cleveland and District Sales Manager for the Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
markets.
"For 18 years National has provided terrific opportunities for me and many
of my fellow associates," Briggs said. "It is a privilege for me to be chosen
for this leadership role. Our dedicated employees have created a tremendous
momentum at National. The launch of the Global Odyssey will create even more
positive changes, and is the linchpin to our continued growth and success.
I'm proud to take over at such a time."
Beard is an 18-year veteran of Alamo, having moved through a number of
positions within the company, including Senior Vice President of Sales and
Marketing; Senior Vice President of Operations; Vice President of Human
Resources, Reservations Sales and Consumer Affairs; and Vice President of
Domestic Sales. For the third straight year, Beard was selected by Travel
Agent magazine as one of the "100 Most Powerful Women in Travel."
"Karen Beard knows the rental car business in general, and Alamo in
particular, inside out. Moreover, she has earned tremendous respect and
admiration in the industry," said Parell. "Starting as a reservations sales
agent, she has worked her way up to become the first female president of a
major company in the history of the rental car industry. We are all proud that
such a first happened at Republic."
"I am honored by the opportunity to lead Alamo Rent-A-Car," Karen said.
"I look forward to working with my Alamo associates in building the leading
brand in leisure car rental. This will be the most exciting time in our
company's history."
Gremse will remain with the Automotive Rental Group, working with Parell
on issues common to both National and Alamo. "George was brought in to 'fix
Alamo.' Those processes and procedures have been put in place, and as a
result of his actions, we saw a better way to run the entire North American
operation," Lobeck said.
Republic Industries, Inc. operates subsidiaries in the automotive
retailing and automotive rental industries. The Company owns the nation's
largest chain of new vehicle dealerships and is building a chain of used car
megastores, which it operates under the AutoNation USA brand name. Republic
also owns National Car Rental System, Inc., Alamo Rent-A-Car, Inc. and
CarTemps USA. The Company owns 63.9 percent of Republic Services, Inc.
, one of the leading providers of non-hazardous solid waste
collection and disposal services in the U.S.