SOUTH JORDAN, Utah -- Aero Performance Products has announced the hiring of Rick Conklin as the new regional sales manager for Aero Exhaust products in the southeastern territory of the U.S.

Conklin is an experienced sales representative who has held senior sales positions for performance automotive exhaust companies, including Flowmaster and Cherry Bomb. He has a proven track record in introducing automotive performance products to the national big box retail and automotive chains as well as the regional warehouse distributors.

Most recently, Conklin served as accounts manager for Cherry Bomb, a supplier of high-performance exhaust products and systems whose products were first introduced in the 1960s. In this position, Conklin was based in the southeastern U.S., the same territory he will cover for Aero. Previous to his employment with Cherry Bomb, Conklin was vice president of sales for a supplier of innovative automotive and marine products to large retail chains throughout the U.S. and abroad.

In his position with Flowmaster, Conklin was responsible for sales of Flowmaster exhaust products to the company's largest accounts throughout the U.S. In addition to increasing sales to his accounts each year during his tenure, Conklin helped develop new programs, including import and diesel exhaust systems, as well as exhaust tips in chrome and stainless steel.

As regional sales manager for Aero, Conklin will report directly to Aero's national sales manager, Bill Franzke. The Aero sales team, under the direction of Franzke, has recently initiated an aggressive sales program visiting dealers and introducing the Aero product to new consumers. Conklin is scheduled to participate in the new sales program, riding with sales representatives from Henschel and Sons Automotive Warehouse, Aero's newest regional warehouse distributor.

"Conklin brings to Aero significant experience in the performance aftermarket exhaust industry on a national level, and we are confident that as regional sales manager, he will help us to continue the sales growth we have experienced over the first three months of 2008," said Bryan Hunsaker, chief executive officer of Aero Performance Products, Inc.

For more information about Aero Performance Products, go to: www.aeroperformanceproducts.com.