CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 21 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Force Protection, Inc. (OTCBB:FRCP) announced today the appointment of Michael Aldrich as Vice President of Sales. Mr. Aldrich will hold the same position in Technical Solutions Group (TSG), a wholly owned subsidiary. He will report directly to Michael Watts, the Company's CEO.
Mr. Aldrich is a senior executive with over twenty-five years experience in government and corporate sales. He has managed sales growth in early state technology companies, leading to acquisitions by major corporations and private investors. Prior to accepting this position, Mr. Aldrich worked since 2000 with Vertical Markets Incorporated, of New Canaan, CT; where he served as President and successfully completed assignments for a diverse subset of Fortune 500 corporations as well as agencies of federal and local government. For the eleven years prior, he served as President of Document Systems Incorporated, a subsidiary of AMS Services, Inc. As president, he successfully led the company to increasing revenues and acquisition by a group of insurance companies led by CNA. A graduate of West Point, Mr. Aldrich spent six years in the United States Army until his honorable discharge at the rank of Captain. During his service, he served with the 1st battalion, 39th field artillery at Fort Bragg, NC prior to being assigned to the staff of the XVIII Airborne Corps. He later served as the aide-de-camp to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Forces Japan. In addition to his undergraduate degree, he earned a Masters Degree from the University of Southern California.
"We're excited to have Mike on board. His strong track record and his extensive Army background make him a good fit with TSG," commented Michael Watts, CEO of Force Protection, Inc. "Now that our process has been ISO certified and our vehicles have gained the credibility that comes from actual field deployment, we're confident that Mike's skills will help us continue to grow."
Technical Solutions Group designs, manufactures, and markets vehicles protected from hostile fire and landmines. Based in Ladson, a suburb of Charleston, South Carolina; the company has been featured in Janes Defense, US Industry Today, and on CNBC's Business Center. The company was also featured in the December 15 issue of the Charleston Regional Business Journal, in which Mr. Aldrich is quoted remarking about one of the company's vehicles, "The Lion represents the latest in twenty-first century land mine and ballistic protection technology."
About Force Protection, Inc.
Force Protection, Inc. manufactures and distributes vehicles that protect and save lives and property. Its subsidiary, Technical Solutions Group, Inc., (TSG) manufactures and markets military vehicles that are protected against landmines and hostile fire. These vehicles are typically used to transport personnel safely in areas infested with landmines and for the actual removal of landmines. The vehicles are manufactured in Ladson, SC, where TSG is based. For more information visit www.forceprotectioninc.com. Recently, Technical Solutions Group was highlighted on CNBC's Business Center. A video clip of the segment is available at: www.forceprotectioninc.com. Contact: Investor Relations, Force Protection, Inc., 714-903-0025, investorrelations@forceprotectioninc.com or visit www.forceprotectioninc.com.
Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications that may arise could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The company cautions that these forward looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to those, set forth in the company's Form 10-KSB filing and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (available at www.sec.gov). The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.