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Gentex Names Sotok to Board of Directors

2 November 2000

Gentex Names Sotok to Board of Directors

    ZEELAND, Mich., Nov. 2 Gentex Corporation ,
the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of auto-dimming rearview mirrors and
fire protection products, today announced that it has named Frederick Sotok to
the Gentex Board of Directors.
    Beginning in 1977, Sotok spent 20 years at Prince Corporation in various
senior manufacturing/operations positions.  In 1993, he was named Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.  Prince Corporation, an $800
million automotive supplier of interior parts, was acquired in 1996 by Johnson
Controls, Inc.
    Prior to his career with Prince Corporation, Mr. Sotok spent 17 years with
General Electric in various manufacturing management positions.
    He is a metallurgy graduate of Penn State University, and earned his MBA
from the University of Detroit.  He's currently on the Board of Directors of
automotive supplier Clarion Technologies.  He also serves on the advisory
board of Innotec, Inc., a Zeeland, Michigan-based, auto supplier.  Sotok
resides in Holland, Michigan, with his wife, Rosemary.
    Gentex Corporation is an international company that provides high-quality
products to the worldwide automotive industry and North American fire
protection market.  The Company develops, manufactures and markets proprietary
electro-optic products, including interior and exterior electrochromic,
automatic-dimming Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS(R)) automotive rearview mirrors
that dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle
headlamps, and an extensive line of fire protection products for commercial
applications.
    Gentex was the first company in the world to successfully develop and
produce a commercial electrochromic mirror for the motor vehicle industry.
The Company is the leading supplier of these mirrors to the worldwide
automotive industry.  Gentex OEM customers include Audi, Bentley, BMW, Daewoo,
DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia Motors,
Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche, Rover, Rolls Royce and Toyota.
Gentex aftermarket/distributor customers include Gulf States Toyota
Distributors, Mito Corporation, Southeast Toyota Distributors, Subaru
Distributors NE and Toyota Motor Sales USA.
    Founded in 1974, Gentex operates out of four facilities in Zeeland,
Michigan; an automotive sales office in Livonia, Michigan; automotive sales
and engineering subsidiaries in Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and France;
and four regional U.S. sales offices for the Fire Protection Products Group.
The Company is recognized for its quality products, its application of world
class manufacturing principles, for its commitment to developing and
maintaining a highly skilled workforce, and for encouraging employee ownership
of the Company's stock.