MEMPHIS, TN – AutoZone today announced that Tom Newbern has been promoted to the position of senior vice president of store operations. A 21-year AutoZoner, Newbern has held several key management positions with the company, most recently vice president of the southwest division.

AutoZone also announced today Larry Roesel will be joining the company as senior vice president of commercial. Roesel comes to AutoZone after more than 30 years with OfficeMax, Inc. and its predecessor where he served in operations, sales and general management.

Both Newbern and Roesel will report to Bob Olsen, the company’s executive vice president of store operations, Commercial and Mexico.

Also today, the company announced Charlie Pleas has been promoted to senior vice president, controller. Pleas, who joined AutoZone in 1996, has held various positions on the company’s finance team, most recently vice president, controller. Newbern, Roesel and Pleas will be members of the company’s Executive Committee.

"With Tom Newbern’s promotion, a long time AutoZoner with a very successful track record, and the addition of Larry Roesel, a very senior and accomplished executive, we have even further strengthened our already highly-seasoned senior operations team," said Bill Rhodes, the company’s president and CEO. "In addition, Charlie Pleas has been one of the architects of this company’s very successful business and financial model concentrating on cost control. He will be a valuable addition to our Executive Committee."

For more information about AutoZone, go to: http://www.autozone.com.

MEMPHIS, TN — AutoZone has announced a number of organizational changes this week.

Veteran retail executive Jim Shea has been hired to serve as executive vice president, merchandising and marketing. Most recently, Shea served as the CEO of Party City. He previously held senior level positions with companies such as Lechter’s Housewares, Kaufmann’s Department Stores, Lechmere, Eddie Bauer and Dayton Hudson. Shea started his career with General Mills.

The company also announced that Mike Archbold, current senior vice president, CFO will become executive vice president, CFO.

Mike Longo, current senior vice president, growth initiatives will become executive vice president, supply chain, information technology, store development and Mexico.

Bill Rhodes, current senior vice president, supply chain and information technology will become executive vice president, store operations and commercial.

All four executive vice presidents will report directly to Steve Odland, chairman, president and CEO.

“The addition of Jim Shea and the restructuring of the company’s top management will strengthen the AutoZone team as we focus on reinvigorating profitable growth,” said Odland.

For more information about AutoZone, go to: www.autozone.com.

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