Directed Electronics Signals Growing Importance of Software in Mobile Electronics With New Vice President of Engineering

VISTA, Calif., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Directed Electronics is pleased to announce the appointment of Jean-Marc Naud to the position of Vice President of Engineering. Naud is based in the new Montreal offices of Directed Electronics, but will spend a meaningful amount of time at Directed's Southern California headquarters.  Naud previously served as VP Engineering in the software industry and brings a wealth of software experience to Directed, as well as a unique perspective based on his broad background leading the engineering efforts at smaller companies as well as at a division of General Electric.

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"Software is integral to the future of mobile electronics," said Kevin Duffy, President of Directed Electronics. "The evidence is all around us, from our award-winning Viper SmartStart smartphone apps, to the advanced digital integration technologies employed in our XPRESSKIT interfaces. Jean-Marc Naud materially advances our leadership and expertise in the field."

Naud is bilingual in English and French, earned an undergraduate degree in Engineering from Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, a Masters degree in Project Management from the Universite du Quebec a Montreal, and was Six Sigma trained at GE.  He is a strong leader and collaborator, and reports directly to Kevin Duffy. 

About Directed Electronics

Headquartered in Southern California, Directed Electronics is the largest designer and marketer in North America of consumer-branded vehicle security and remote start systems (sold under Viper®, Clifford®, Python®, Autostart® and other brand names). Directed Electronics is also a supplier of mobile audio products sold principally under the Orion® brand name, and digital OEM Integration products sold under the XPRESSKIT® brand name. Directed Electronics markets its broad portfolio of products through many channels including leading national retailers and specialty chains throughout North America and around the world. Founded in 1982, the company's primary operations are located in Vista, California and Quebec, Canada. For more information, please visit www.directed.com. Directed Electronics is a business unit of DEI Holdings, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release that are not historical fact constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the use of terms such as "may," "should," "might," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and similar words, although some may be expressed differently. Shareholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results of DEI Holdings to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include competition in the consumer electronics industry, development of new products and changing demand of customers, reliance on certain key customers, decline in consumer spending, reliance on certain manufacturers and their ability to maintain satisfactory delivery schedules, disruption in supply chain, shortages of components and materials, economic risks associated with changes in social, political, regulatory, and economic conditions in the countries where the company's products are manufactured, quality installation of products by customers, significant product returns or product liability claims, compliance with various state and local regulations, risks with international operations, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, claims related to intellectual property, ability to service debt obligations, restrictive terms of the company's senior secured credit facility, vulnerability to increases in interest rates, disruption in distribution centers, ability to raise additional capital if needed, dependence on senior management, ability to realize on investments made in the business, and integration of acquired businesses. Certain of these factors, as well as various additional factors, are discussed from time to time in the reports filed by DEI Holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. DEI Holdings disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Directed Electronics