Smith Electric Vehicles Announces Appointment of Thomas Stallkamp, Robert Druten to Its Board of Directors, Smith CEO Bryan Hansel as Chairman

KANSAS CITY, MO., Nov. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Smith Electric Vehicles Corp. (Smith), a leader in all-electric commercial vehicles, today announced the appointment, effective Nov. 4, 2011, of Thomas T. Stallkamp and Robert J. Druten to its board of directors, and Bryan Hansel, Smith's current president and chief executive officer, as chairman.

Mr. Stallkamp brings more than 40 years of experience in executive and management roles for original equipment and automobile manufacturers, including DaimlerChrysler Company and Ford Motor Company. Mr. Druten possesses wide-ranging experience as a senior financial officer and board member for a variety of private and public companies, including Hallmark Cards, Entertainment Properties Inc. and Kansas City Southern.

"We're pleased to welcome Tom and Bob to our board, and expect that their expertise will complement the strong leadership our board provides to the company," said Hansel. "Tom's perspective on growing and managing a large multinational organization with complex manufacturing operations and supply chain logistics will be invaluable to Smith, while Bob's extensive experience as a chief financial officer and board member of public companies will strengthen our board's ability to carry out its financial oversight responsibilities.  I expect that both Tom and Bob will meaningfully contribute to our governance function and the development of our board."

Mr. Hansel, who has served as Smith's president and chief executive officer since its inception in January 2009, succeeds Roy Stanley, who had served as Smith's chairman since December 2009.

"Roy's leadership has been instrumental in creating today's industry for commercial electric vehicles and positioning Smith prominently in that market," commented Hansel. "All of us at Smith are grateful for Roy's service to Smith and contributions to the broader EV industry."

About Thomas T. Stallkamp

Thomas T. Stallkamp joined Smith's board of directors in November 2011. Since 2004, he has served as the founder and a principal of Collaborative Management LLC, a private supply chain consulting firm. From 2004 to 2010, Mr. Stallkamp served as an industrial partner for Ripplewood Holdings LLC, a private equity firm specializing in the automotive, financial, manufacturing and media sectors. He has held numerous management, executive and board positions with companies including MSX international Inc., a global provider of technology-driven engineering, business and specialized staffing services; DaimlerChrysler Corporation, including as president of DaimlerChrysler Corporation; and Ford Motor Company. Mr. Stallkamp currently serves on the board of trustees of EntrepreneurShares Series Trust, a registered investment company; and the boards of directors of Baxter International Inc., where he is a member of the audit and compensation committees; and BorgWarner Inc., a developer of powertrain technologies, where he is a member of the audit committee.

About Robert J. Druten

Robert J. Druten joined Smith's board of directors in November 2011. Mr. Druten served as the executive vice president and chief financial officer of Hallmark Cards from 1994 until his retirement in August 2006. Prior to joining Hallmark, Mr. Druten served in various corporate development and accounting roles at Entertainment Properties Inc., Kansas City Southern and Arthur Young & Co. He currently serves on the boards of directors of Alliance Holdings GP, LLC, the managing general partner of Alliance Holdings GP, L.P., which is indirectly engaged in the production and marketing of coal to utilities and industrial users, where he is a member of the audit and conflicts committees; Kansas City Southern, a transportation company, where he is the audit committee chairman, finance committee chairman, and a member of the nominating and governance committee; and Entertainment Property Trust, a real estate investment trust, where he is chairman of the board and a member of the compensation, nominating and governance, and finance committees. Mr. Druten served as a director of American Italian Pasta Company from December 2007 to July 2010.

About Smith Electric Vehicles

Smith Electric Vehicles Corp. (www.smithelectric.com) designs, produces and sells zero-emission commercial electric vehicles that are designed to be an alternative to traditional diesel trucks with higher efficiency and lower total cost of ownership. Its vehicle designs leverage more than 80 years of market knowledge from selling and servicing electric vehicles in the United Kingdom.  Smith Electric Vehicles produces the Newton™ and the Edison™. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Kansas City, Mo., and outside of Newcastle, U.K.

SOURCE Smith Electric Vehicles Corp.