J.D. Byrider Management Changes Announced

April 18, 2006

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CARMEL, Ind. (April 18, 2006) -- J.D. Byrider Systems Inc. announced Monday afternoon management changes required by the death of James DeVoe Sr., the founder, president, chief executive officer and board chairman of the company. DeVoe's son, James DeVoe Jr., current president of company stores and a member of the board of directors since the company's inception, will take the helm as CEO.

DeVoe Sr. and his son-in-law, W. Steele Gudal, were killed in a March 23 plane crash in Florida.

"We lost a great leader in my father, but his legacy and the strong franchise 'family' he has built will live on through us," said DeVoe, who in 1992 earned a business management degree from Indiana University School of Business in Bloomington, in addition to his automotive marketing degree from the Northwood Institute in Midland, Mich.

"Dad told me just a week before his tragic death how very proud he was of the company's management and staff," DeVoe noted. "Now is the time for our management team to faithfully carry on my father's business with the compassion and visionary leadership he exhibited throughout his life."

Steven Wedding, newly appointed president of franchising, stated, "At both company and franchise stores, we will continue serving our customers with dignity and respect, just as Jim taught us to do. Our current 94-percent customer satisfaction rating is a resounding tribute to the success of the business model he created and then nurtured for more than 25 years."

In addition to his role as president of franchising, Wedding will continue to serve as chief financial officer. Since 2003, he has held the dual positions of CFO and executive vice president of franchise operations. He joined the company as controller in 1991 and has served as vice president of both finance and franchise operations. He is a certified public accountant with an MBA from Emory University in Atlanta, and an undergraduate degree from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn.

Two other changes were announced. Brent Newman will become the president of company stores, and Randy Fields the chief operating officer of company stores.

Newman, who joined the company in 1991, was chief operating officer since 2004 after serving as zone manager of Indiana. He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University. Fields, formerly a vice president, has been with the company since 2000. He had previously served as managing partner, district manager and zone manager of Ohio.

In a private letter to the staff and franchisees, the younger DeVoe said the company is moving forward with all operational goals, objectives and strategies. No new management or ownership of the company is planned, he noted.

"This company is on very stable ground," DeVoe said. He said his father "loved the whole company, from associates to franchisees, and he was so proud of what we have all accomplished."

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