Dura Automotive Systems Expands Management Team

11 January 2000
Dura Automotive Systems Expands Management Team
    ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Jan. 11 -- Dura Automotive Systems,
Inc. a global leader in Driver Control Systems, Body and Glass
Modules, Engineered Assemblies and Seating Systems, has named William F. Ohrt
its Chief Financial Officer.  Ohrt comes to Dura from Navistar International,
and replaces Steve Graham.  Graham, who will assist Ohrt in his transition to
Dura, will remain with the company.  He will pursue career opportunities
outside the Dura financial organization.
    "Bill brings 21 years of automotive business and financial expertise, and
has an impressive record of achieving stretch financial goals and improving
the profitability of automotive supplier businesses," said company CEO Karl
Storrie.  "He will help us meet our objectives in this rapidly changing
industry."
    "I'm looking forward to working with the people of Dura," says Ohrt, "to
provide the financial leadership necessary to increase shareholder value and
expand Dura's presence in the industry.  I will focus on enhancing operating
results, careful net asset management, and meeting or exceeding stretch profit
targets."
    Ohrt earned a BS in Accounting from Wayne State University in 1975, and a
MBA-Finance from the University of Detroit in 1981.  In addition he is a
Certified Public Accountant in the State of Michigan.
    He began his career in 1975 as auditor for Price Waterhouse LLP before
moving to AlliedSignal in 1979.  Ohrt moved up through the Allied Signal ranks
before being named Vice President of Finance, Allied Signal Turbocharger
Systems.  From this position he helped lead the financial turnaround of the
division.
    In May of 1997, Ohrt joined ITT Automotive where he was Vice President of
Finance for the Electrical Systems division.  He led the group's Cost Base
Initiative restructuring program which generated significant annual savings,
and improved operating margins.
    One year later, Ohrt moved to Navistar International.  As Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of the company's Truck and Parts Group, Ohrt was
responsible for budgeting, forecasting, strategic financial planning, cost
control and internal control for the $6.0 billion Truck Group and the $900
million Service Parts Group.
    A resident of Rochester Hills, Michigan, Ohrt is married and the father of
two children.  He is a member of the AICPA, MACPA and Beta Gamma Sigma
National Honor Society.
    Dura Automotive Systems' headquarters are located in Rochester Hills,
Michigan.  The company is a $2.5 billion global supplier of engineered systems
with more than 20,000 employees and 80 facilities worldwide.  Its product
portfolio includes parking brake systems, switch assemblies, shift mechanisms,
door modules, body and glass modules, and seating systems.