Auto PlusSM Announces Appointment of Executive Team under Icahn Enterprises Ownership

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Auto Plus President and Chief Executive Officer, Brent Windom, announced the appointments of several key individuals to the leadership team.

“We are beginning a new phase of growth with the support of Icahn Enterprises,” said Windom. “We are a strong and profitable, customer focused company with strong technological capabilities and an aggressive growth plan. The aftermarket parts industry is expected to expand significantly over the next five years. So I am very pleased we were able to attract top talent in key leadership positions after our acquisition by Icahn Enterprises in June was finalized. Now our team is well-poised to pursue Auto Plus’ aggressive growth strategy.”

In June, Icahn Enterprises completed its previously announced acquisition of substantially all of Uni-Select USA, Inc.’s and Beck/Arnley Worldparts, Inc.’s assets, which supported the U.S. automotive parts distribution business of Uni-Select Inc. (TSX: UNS). The transaction included 38 distribution centers and satellite locations, 240 corporately owned jobber stores and over 3,500 employees in the United States.  Icahn Enterprises retained the Auto Plus brand name and Brent Windom was named President and CEO of Auto Plus.

Windom announced the following new appointments to the Auto Plus executive team:

  • Mike Englert has been named Chief Financial Officer of Auto Plus. Englert previously served as Vice President, Finance for the company. In this new role, Englert will oversee all financial functions of Auto Plus. Prior to joining Auto Plus, Englert, a Certified Public Accountant, served in Ernst and Young’s audit practice.

  • Gary Desai was named Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the organization, bringing to Auto Plus over 30 years of IT leadership and expertise. Desai will oversee all Information Technology (IT) functions in this new role. Before his move to Auto Plus, Desai served as Senior Vice President, CIO , Vice President, IT & Business Transformation and Director of Information Services for various organizations in the automobile industry.

  • Matt Flannery has been appointed General Counsel. In this new role, Flannery will oversee all legal matters for Auto Plus. Flannery joins Auto Plus from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company where he served as Senior Counsel. Prior to Goodyear, Flannery held the positions of Senior Litigation Counsel at Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and Associate Counsel for Jones Day law firm. He brings over 20 years of legal experience to the company.

  • Pete Bednarzyk was named Senior Vice President, Supply Chain. In his new role, Bednarzyk will manage all aspects of product flow, from manufacturers, to Auto Plus and its customers. Prior to his appointment, Bednarzyk served as Senior Director, Supply Chain for Home Depot. His more than 20 years of experience also includes supply chain management positions for Office Depot and FedEx.

  • Elizabeth Johnson as Vice President of Human Resources. Johnson is a 20-year human resource practitioner, holding management positions with companies such as Anheuser-Busch and Uni-Select prior to Auto Plus.

“These individuals will help us support the organization during our time of expansion through acquisitions and organic growth,” says Windom. “Our appointed executive team is comprised of industry experts and leaders who will be integral to the continued success of Auto Plus.”

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Media Contacts:

Jo Bourjaily | 248.766.5765 | jbourjaily@dp-company.com    

Yasmin Tekyi-Mensah | 248.996.0204 | ytekyimensah@dp-company.com   

About Auto Plus:

Auto Plus is a major U.S.-based supplier and distributor of automotive aftermarket parts. Its rapid growth over the last decade has come from acquisitions and deep investments in technology for inventory control and parts distribution. For more information, visit http://www.autoplusap.com.  

About Icahn Enterprises:

Icahn Enterprises L.P. (Nasdaq: IEP), a master limited partnership, is a diversified holding company engaged in ten primary business segments: investment automotive, energy, metals, mining, railcar, gaming, food packaging, real estate and home fashion.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, many of which are beyond our ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “will” or words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

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