POMONA, Calif. — Keystone Automotive Industries announced that board members Al Ronco and Ron Brown have informed the company of their decision not to stand for re-election at Keystone’s annual meeting to be held this month. The company said it has nominated James Robert Gerrity and newly appointed CEO Richard Keister to fill two of three board vacancies.
“We greatly appreciate Al and Ron’s years of service to Keystone. We wish both of them well in their retirement and pursuit of various hobbies and commitments to charitable organizations,” said Ronald Foster, chairman of Keystone Automotive.
“Jim Gerrity’s background and experience complement the requirements of Keystone’s board at an exciting juncture in its history. We look forward to his contributions as the company further establishes its position within the aftermarket collision repair parts industry,” Foster said.
Gerrity’s professional career includes serving as senior vice president and CFO, and subsequently president, of Dyneer Corporation, during its publicly traded and privately owned periods. Dyneer was acquired by Titan Wheel Corporation in 1993. His subsequent experience includes serving as an investment banking consultant and a private investor. He currently serves as director of several private corporations, including Flender Holding GmbH, Palomar Technologies Corporation and Remy International, Inc.
Foster noted that retiring director Al Ronco was a key member of Keystone’s senior management team when the company went public in 1996, serving through important revenue and distribution expansion milestones during his career. Foster highlighted Ronco’s many contributions to Keystone’s success and his lasting legacy among Keystone’s employees, customers, suppliers and other constituents.
Ronco, 68, joined Keystone in 1959 and held a number of positions with the company. He was promoted to executive vice president in 1987, at which time he joined the company’s board of directors. He continued to serve on the board and the audit committee following his retirement from the company in August 1998.
Brown, 67, joined the board of directors in March 1997, following the merger of North Star Plating Company and Keystone Automotive that same year. He served as chairman of Keystone from March 1997 through August 2000. Brown founded North Star Plating in 1968. At the time of its merger with Keystone, North Star had annual sales of approximately $52 million.
Foster added that the company is currently conducting a search to fill the remaining board vacancy.
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