AUGUSTA, GA (Dec. 5, 2007) – Phil Tralies, president and CEO of Club Car for the past six years, has been named chairman and CEO. Gary Michel, a longtime executive within parent company Ingersoll Rand, will assume the newly created position of president and chief operating officer.
The organizational changes position Tralies to focus on developing strategic business opportunities in emerging domestic and international markets, as well as continue to strengthen key customer and industry relationships, according to Jim Bolch, president of Ingersoll Rand’s Industrial Technologies sector. Michel will be responsible for overseeing Club Car’s day-to-day business operations, and in concert with Tralies, developing long-term strategy, Bolch added.
"Club Car has enjoyed consistent growth and profitability under Phil’s leadership. He has also emerged as one of golf’s leading advocates for the growth of the game. His ability to recognize new opportunities while building on Club Car’s respected position within the golf industry is a tremendous asset to our business going forward," Bolch said.
Tralies was named president and CEO of Club Car in May 2001 after spending 25 years with Textron, a multi-industry company. While at Club Car, Tralies has overseen continued growth in golf (led by the introduction of the Precedent golf car) while leading the company into new markets, including commercial and consumer, where innovative vehicles such as the all-wheel-drive XRT have captured significant market share. Tralies also has led Club Car’s emergence as a global brand with a strong presence in a number of international markets.
Michel, who has 22 years of experience with Ingersoll Rand, joins Club Car after serving as president of the corporation’s Road Development and Utility Equipment businesses. He was also vice president and general manager of Ingersoll Rand’s Portable Power business.
"Gary has a proven track record leading businesses and people," Tralies said. "His experience is a great fit for Club Car and helps ensure ongoing growth and success."
Michel earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Club Car, a business of Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited, a diversified industrial firm, Honors the Game as the exclusive premier partner of the National Golf Course Owners Association and a sponsor of the European Golf Course Owners Association. It is the Official Supplier of Golf Cars and Utility Vehicles to the 2010 Ryder Cup, the Official Golf Car and Golf Utility Vehicle and an Official Sponsor of the PGA European Tour, the official supplier of golf cars and utility vehicles to PGA Tournament Players Clubs, and leading sponsor of the PGA Professional National Championship, The First Tee and the Executive Women’s Golf Association.
About Club Car
Club Car provides fleet, turf, hospitality and financing solutions for golf, agricultural, recreational and industrial markets. For more information on Club Car, go to www.clubcar.com. Based in Augusta, Ga., Club Car is part of the Industrial Technologies sector of Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited. Ingersoll Rand is a diversified industrial company providing products, services and integrated solutions to industries ranging from transportation and manufacturing to food retailing, construction, and agriculture. With a 135-year-old heritage of technological innovation, Ingersoll Rand helps companies worldwide to be more productive, efficient and innovative. For more information, please visit www.ingersollrand.com.
Contact:
Bill Bryant, Bryant Marketing Communications
(678) 366-3232, bbryant@bryantmarcomm.com
