Autobytel.com Taps Former CIO of Fluor Corporation To Lead Corporate Development
11 September 2000
Autobytel.com Taps Former CIO of Fluor Corporation To Lead Corporate Development
Dennis Benner Named Executive Vice President, Corporate Development
IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 11 Autobytel.com , the
global leader in automotive e-commerce, today announced the appointment of
Dennis Benner as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development. Benner
comes to Autobytel.com from Fluor Corporation, the world's largest,
publicly-owned consulting, engineering, construction, maintenance, and
diversified services company, where he served as Vice President and Chief
Information Officer.
Benner brings over 33 years of experience in both marketing and
information technology to Autobytel.com. Benner's responsibilities will
include heading corporate strategy and development, as well as managing
alliances and partnerships between Autobytel.com and other companies.
"Dennis' extensive experience at a large-scale international business
gives him the credentials necessary to assist us in achieving our business
development goals, which include furthering the reach of Autobytel.com's
influence as a global e-commerce leader," said Mark Lorimer, Autobytel.com's
President and CEO. "We are pleased to have him aboard."
"As the first automotive e-commerce company to make a global impact,
Autobytel.com represents the future of worldwide car selling," said Benner.
"The idea of being involved with a business that is transforming an industry
was simply too appealing to pass up. My decision to come here is based on the
company's strong leadership and my belief in the future of Autobytel.com and
the market it serves."
Prior to Autobytel.com, Benner was responsible for managing global
information systems at Fluor Corporation. His background includes executive
positions in marketing and information technology management with companies
such as TRW, Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Computer Sciences Corporation,
and IBM. Benner sits on the board of directors of Fluor Signature Services, a
subsidiary of Fluor Corporation. Benner is also active in philanthropy and is
on both the National and District Boards of the Scleroderma Foundation
(http://www.scleroderma.org), Scleroderma is a rare disease that results in the
hardening of skin tissue, both internal and external. Benner resides in
Rancho Palos Verdes with his wife, Janie, who is also active in Scleroderma
Foundation affairs.
About autobytel.com inc.
Autobytel.com inc. , the global leader in online automotive
commerce, brings car buyers, owners, and sellers together in a trusted
environment, empowered by the Internet. Through its extensive automotive
content and multiple purchasing, financing, insurance and service options,
Autobytel.com offers consumers choice and peace of mind throughout the
automotive lifecycle, while providing its network of accredited dealers and
automotive services partners the most efficient way to reach online car buyers
and owners. Autobytel.com and its wholly-owned subsidiary, CarSmart.com, have
a network of over 5,000 Dealers nationwide and are the seventh largest
generator of automotive sales in the United States, just behind GM, Ford,
DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, Honda and Nissan. Autobytel.com has been ranked #1
in Dealer Satisfaction with Online Buying Services for three years in a row by
J.D. Power and Associates(1). Autobytel.com's low-cost, no-haggle car-buying
program is available in the U.S., Canada (http://www.autobytel.ca), the United
Kingdom (http://www.autobytel.co.uk), Sweden (http://www.autobytel.se) and Japan
(http://www.autobytel-japan.com). Headquartered in Irvine, California, Autobytel.com
is recognized as the company that transformed the $1 trillion new car industry
when it invented online car buying.
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical
facts are forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. These
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and
involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to
predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is
expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Autobytel.com
undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the
important factors that could cause Autobytel.com's actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking
statements are changes in general economic conditions, increased or unexpected
competition, changes in A.I.N. Corporation's financial performance, and other
matters disclosed in Autobytel.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
(1) J.D. Power and Associates 1998 - 2000 Dealer Satisfaction With Online
Buying Services Studies(SM). 2000 study conducted among dealership Internet
specialists who completed 2,144 evaluations of individual services.
http://www.jdpower.com.