ATLANTA -- The Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) Board of Directors has approved the following corporate officer changes. Scott Smith was elected to the position of senior vice president - corporate counsel, Carol Yancey was elected to the position of senior vice president - finance and corporate secretary and Sidney Jones was elected to the position of vice president - investor relations. All three individuals have been with the company for 15 years. According to a press release submitted by GPC, these promotions will further strengthen the company's corporate legal and financial teams.

In other news, the GPC Board of Directors declared an increase of 8 percent in the regular quarterly cash dividend for 2006. The board increased the cash dividend payable to an annual rate of $1.35 per share, compared with the previous dividend of $1.25 per share. The quarterly cash dividend of thirty-three and three quarter cents ($.3375) per share is payable April 3 to shareholders of record March 10. GPC has paid a cash dividend every year since going public in 1948 and this recent increase marks the 50th consecutive year.

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