ALPHARETTA, GA — Exide Technologies has announced three executive appointments. Edward (EJ) O’Leary has been named as the company’s chief operating officer, Bruce Cole has been appointed president of the transportation, Americas operating division and Gary Reinert has been appointed to the newly created position of vice president, strategic planning and business development.

Since June 2005, O’Leary has served Exide as president of transportation, Americas. In his new role as COO, he will be responsible for the four operating divisions of the company including transportation, Americas; transportation, Europe; industrial energy, Americas and industrial energy, Europe. The presidents of these divisions will report to O’Leary.

“EJ is a dynamic, results-oriented leader whose capabilities are evidenced by the performance of the transportation, Americas division under his command,” said Gordon Ulsh, president and CEO of Exide Technologies. “I am confident that he will effectively build upon Exide’s existing momentum as we grow and become profitable.”

O’Leary’s career has spanned more than 30 years in the automotive industry. Prior to joining Exide, he served as president of the Americas at Oetiker, Inc. His career also includes senior management positions at iStar Systems, Federal-Mogul, Cooper Industries and Tenneco Automotive.

O’Leary holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. He also completed the International Advanced Management Program at the Harvard School of Business.

Bruce Cole brings a broad-range of industry experience to his new role as president of transportation, Americas, replacing O’Leary. Cole has served Exide in a variety of capacities, most recently as vice president and general manager of the Exide recycling operation. In his new role, Cole will report to O’Leary.

“During his 18-year career at Exide, Bruce has cultivated a broad-range of experience, which has been demonstrated by his increasing level of responsibilities,” said O’Leary. “His unique blend of operational and technical experience, coupled with his management capabilities in the recycling operation, make him uniquely prepared to take on this new responsibility. His experience will bring added insight and innovation to the foundation already established in the transportation, Americas operation.”

Since joining Exide in 1989, Cole also has served the company as vice president, marketing, global industrial energy and vice president, manufacturing and engineering in the industrial energy, Americas division. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree in chemical engineering from Michigan State University as well as an executive MBA from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

Since August of 2006, Reinert has served Exide as vice president, internal audit at the company’s corporate headquarters in Alpharetta, GA. In his new role, reporting to Gordon Ulsh, he will be responsible for updating/completing strategic planning for Exide’s growing business, leading the evaluation of product expansion, and identifying potential merger and acquisition opportunities.

“The decision to create this new position is a direct result of Exide’s growing financial and operational strength,” said Ulsh. “The timing and the environment are right for Exide to implement a more crystallized world view around strategic planning and business development. We anticipate that Gary’s efforts will drive significant improvements in shareholder value and long-term competitiveness.”

Prior to his time at Exide, Reinert was chief financial officer at the Hudson-Sharp Machine Co. He also served as general auditor/vice president and controller at Harnischfeger Industries. Before that he was staff auditor to a senior manager at KPMG.

Reinert holds a bachelor’s of business administration degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.

“I am pleased and proud about these appointments,” said Ulsh. “They illustrate that we are tapping the deep pool of talent that exists within our organization – proving that responsibilities and roles can successfully cross division lines.”