Press Release Details

Management Promotions Announced by Republic Industries' Automotive Rental Group

Nov 12, 1998

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Industries, Inc. (NYSE: RII) 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. (NYSE: RSG), one of the leading providers of non-hazardous solid waste collection and disposal services in the U.S.

SOURCE Republic Industries, Inc.