SHERMAN OAKS, CA -- The board of directors for Earl Scheib Inc. has elected Robert Smiland as independent chairman of the board. Smiland replaces interim chairman Christian Bement, who continues as the company's CEO.

Smiland has been a member of the board of directors since December 2001. He is CEO of Smiland Paint Co. and a partner in Smiland Land Co. Smiland also serves in various fiduciary capacities in a number of civic and community organizations, including as a trustee of the University of California Foundation at Berkeley.

Additionally, the board has reconfigured its director-nominating process to establish that nominations will be reviewed and approved by the three current independent directors.

Earl Scheib Inc., founded in 1937, is a nationwide operator of 115 auto paint and body shops located in approximately 100 cities throughout the U.S. In addition, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Earl Scheib Inc. manufactures paint coating systems that are used not only by its paint and body shops, but are also sold to original equipment manufacturers.

For more information, visit Earl Scheib on the web at: www.earlscheib.com.

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