ForumAdmin Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 NEWS Release For Immediate Release · Shelby American appoints Gary Patterson as company President · Vince LaViolette named Vice President of Operations · Keith Criswell adds Director of Research & Development to his duties SHELBY AMERICAN ANNOUNCES KEY PROMOTIONS INCLUDING GARY PATTERSON AS PRESIDENT las vegas – Dec. 8, 2016 – Shelby American Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK) has appointed Gary Patterson company president. In addition, Vince LaViolette was named vice president of Operations, while Shelby Performance Parts Director Keith Criswell will now also be Director of Research and Development. “The board of Shelby American is pleased to promote Gary Patterson to the position of president of Shelby American,” said Joe Conway, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International and CEO of Shelby American. “A key part of the Shelby team for twenty years, Gary’s strong experience in production, sales, marketing, and product development will be a tremendous benefit to Shelby in his role as president. His executive team, including Vince LaViolette as vice president of operations and Keith Criswell who is now director of both Shelby Performance Parts and the R & D department, will help us continue Carroll Shelby’s important legacy.” “Gary Patterson will oversee daily operations in Las Vegas and report directly to Joe Conway, who remains CEO of Shelby American," said Neil Cummings, CEO of Carroll Shelby Licensing and co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International. “Joe will also manage Shelby American’s accounting and finance departments.” Patterson’s automotive credentials began from birth. His earliest memories are of riding in his father’s 1965 Mustang; he bought his first car, a 428 Cobra Jet powered ‘69 Mustang at the age of 16 with money earned mowing lawns. He stills owns that fastback, along with a broad range of machinery ranging from an experimental twin-turbo Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake to a Corvette and Shelby Series 1. “This is it the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Gary Patterson. “I’m excited to help Shelby American reach its potential as a global leader in the automotive high performance industry. I look forward to spending time with fellow enthusiasts worldwide, asking for their input on the vehicles and parts that they want from Shelby.” Patterson’s industry credentials are equally impressive. He has been part of the team that created every Shelby vehicle starting with the CSX4000 continuation Cobra through the latest models built in Las Vegas. Patterson has managed the sales team, marketing group, and dealer development. He has been on product development teams, a company spokesman, driving instructor and a test driver. Patterson has served a director for numerous open road races and is a Power Pro ambassador for Optima Batteries. Vince LaViolette has also served in a variety of roles over the past decade at Shelby American. He has served as director of production, research and development, chief designer and factory test driver. “Vince LaViolette’s talents were honed on the track as a talented and successful racer, as well as in his own racing shop before coming to Shelby,” said Conway. “He worked closely with Carroll Shelby on vehicle development over the years. In fact, every vehicle offered by Shelby American since 1999 has his imprint in its performance attributes. As vice president of operations, he will leverage his experience and talents on an even larger scale.” SPP has become an important part of Shelby’s business, especially with mod shops opening worldwide. Keith Criswell is now in charge of that division, as well as part of the vehicle development team. Keith Criswell joined Shelby in 2007 and has worked his way through the organization. He managed the wholesale department in Shelby Performance Parts before being promoted to director of the division. The aftermarket veteran and serious enthusiast previously served as Technical & Sales Supervisor for the Drake Automotive Group in Nevada. For more information about Shelby American, visit www.shelby.com. About Shelby American, Inc. Founded by legend Carroll Shelby, Shelby American manufactures and markets performance vehicles and related products. The company builds authentic continuation Cobras, including the 427 S/C, 289 FIA, 289 street car, and Daytona Coupe component vehicles; it offers the Shelby GTE, 1000, GT500 Super Snake and Shelby Terlingua Racing Team post-title packages for the 2005-2017 Ford Mustang. Shelby American also offers the Shelby Raptor and Shelby F-150 muscle truck. For more information, visit www.shelby.com. Media Contact Scott Black | TimePiece PR & Marketing | 214-520-3430 ext. 303 | sblack@tprm.com ### Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
07SGT4578 Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 Congrats Gary!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobjshelbys Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 Congratulations Gary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffJ Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 Great news! Congrats Gary, Vince, and Keith! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HARALD KELLEY Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 Echo all comments! Congrats Gary, Vince, and Keith! Gary, I guess as president you will still be able to "burn rubber" when you want, heck your the President! Looking forward to congratulating everyone in person at the Bash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShelbyKR664 Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 Awesome! Congratulations all around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Secondo Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 Finally! Go, Gary!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EL SHELBY Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 The 'Minister of Fun' is in charge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S8MS-01904 Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 Great deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkeye O'Saben Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 Congrats to all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denstang65 Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 AWESOME! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 3 OF YOU! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry T Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 Great promotions all around .... congrats !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hawkins Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 AWESOME GARY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert OHara Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 How awesome Congrats to Gary (have some damn fun) Vince and Kieth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VorpalBunny Posted December 8, 2016 Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 Great news! Congrats Gary, Vince, and Keith! +1 Congrats to all! David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIKEBOY Posted December 9, 2016 Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 Wow!! Nice. I've never met Gary, but lived vicariously through this site and feel like I know all about him. A huge CONGRATULATIONS to he and Vince and Keith!! This should silence ANY haters now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby1981 Posted December 9, 2016 Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 Congrats to all three of you. Well deserved! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Johnston Posted December 9, 2016 Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 (edited) Congrats to all, especially Gary. It is about time. He has been there more like 25 years, not just 20,when the CSX4000 continuation Cobras were started in 1996. He sure has seen a lot of changes and progression over those years. And it is amazing that he can remember all the details of the scores of special Shelby Cobra and Shelby Mustang models to come out of the SA shop! Edited December 15, 2016 by 66GT350PS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkeye O'Saben Posted December 9, 2016 Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 Wow!! Nice. I've never met Gary, but lived vicariously through this site and feel like I know all about him. A huge CONGRATULATIONS to he and Vince and Keith!! This should silence ANY haters now. I had the pleasure of meeting Gary at Indy, unfortunately after the ride-alongs got cancelled. But he was nice enough to let me get a picture with him. Later, before the banquet when I was sitting in the hallway, he stopped and chatted for about 15 minutes because he recognized me from earlier. Helluva nice guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucks07 Posted December 9, 2016 Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 Congratulations Gary, Vince and Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shel-b001 Posted December 9, 2016 Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 Congrat`s Gary , Vince & Keith , what a great Team , now lets have some dam fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Johnston Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 Congrat`s Gary , Vince & Keith , what a great Team , now lets have some dam fun. Would that be like a celebration cruise to Hoover Dam! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Wear 29706 Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 I had the pleasure of meeting Gary and Vince for the first time at a track day last year in Las Vegas. We got to drive different Shelby's and ride with Gary and Vince. Both of these guys are outstanding individuals! I did have some damn fun riding with both of them! I let Gary drive my Shelby at Summit Point in June as part of the 2016 Northeast Regional meet. He showed me what my car can do while taking some care not to abuse it too bad (if you know Gary, that took some serious restraint). Congrats to all of them! Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHELBY#18 Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Couldn't have happen to a better group. Congratulations to all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elgin Black Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Congrats to you guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2+2 Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 It's about time. Vince deserved at least vice president after he designed the hood scoop on my 2008 Shelby GT. Seriously, way to go Shelby America. Very good move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
07gt500conv Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 Congrats to the new management team at Shelby American Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bookwyrm Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 Congratulations Gary, Vince, and Keith! Definitely a great and deserving team. Can't wait to celebrate this along with everything else at the Bash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.