SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Feb. 25, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq:ORLY), announced today that Thomas T. Hendrickson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and Treasurer of The Sports Authority, Inc., has been nominated to the Company's Board of Directors to serve as an independent director. As previously reported, on May 8, 2009, Mr. Joe C. Greene, an independent Director of the Company's Board of Directors, died. Based on the recommendation of its Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, the Company's Board of Directors nominated Mr. Hendrickson to stand for election as a Class II Director. Mr. Hendrickson will be included on the Company's 2010 Proxy Statement as a Class II Director candidate for the Board to be elected for a three-year term at the Company's next Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Commenting on the nomination, David O'Reilly, Chairman of the Board of O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. said, "We are excited about the nomination of Mr. Hendrickson to our Board of Directors. His 28 years of retail operations experience and leadership will be a great asset to our Board and our Company."
Mr. Hendrickson has served in his current role at The Sports Authority, Inc., a leading sporting goods retailer, since January of 1998. Previously, Mr. Hendrickson was employed by Sportmart, Inc. from 1993 to 1998, serving as Vice President of Finance, Senior Vice President, and most recently as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that time, he served as Divisional Vice President and Controller of Millers Outpost from 1987 to 1993, and as Vice President and Controller of Zondervan Publishing from 1985 to 1987.
O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. Founded in 1957 by the O'Reilly family, the Company operated 3,421 stores in 38 states as of December 31, 2009.
The O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5430