| Ener1 Press Release | ||
ENER1 INC APPOINTS MARSHALL S. COGAN TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr. Cogan was recently named Senior Strategic Advisor of Ener1 majority shareholder, private equity firm Ener1 Group. Throughout his career, he has built automotive-related companies into market leaders. He founded Foamex International and grew its automotive operations to 65% penetration in North America for ten years. Later Mr. Cogan acquired control of Sheller Glober the world's largest manufacturer of steering wheels and related automotive components at the time, with revenue of $800 million. He sold control for 15 times his holding company's original investment in less than two years in partnership with Shearson-Lehman American Express. Mr. Cogan pioneered the consolidation of the auto retail business when he founded United Auto Group (UAG), with the support of Harvard Private Equity, Apollo Management and JP Morgan Private Capital. With an original investment of $87.5 million, UAG went public though JP Morgan and ultimately sold to Roger Penske. The company's current market value is $2 billion. Mr. Cogan replaces Carlos E. Mendez-Peñate who is stepping down to enable the company to add more industry experience to its board. Mr. Cogan commented, "Technologically advanced products that address fuel consumption are a priority for the automotive industry and top-of-mind for American consumers today, as evidenced by the proliferation of the hybrid electric vehicle market. I look forward to helping Ener1 commercialize its patented technologies into products that provide efficient, affordable and viable solutions to reduce our dependence on oil." Charles Gassenheimer, Chairman of Ener1, said: "We are excited to have Marshall on the board of Ener1. As the company focuses on the successful introduction of products to the marketplace and building alliances, Marshall's ability to open doors in the automotive, financial and other vital industries will be a strong advantage for us." Mr. Cogan is a former partner of Cogan, Berlind, Weill & Levitt, rising to the position of Partner in Charge of Investment Banking and Institutional Research. He guided the firm in its acquisition of Hayden Stone, Inc, where he was named Vice Chairman. This was the predecessor firm to Shearson-Lehman American Express. From 1974-1999, Mr. Cogan was Chairman and CEO of a private investment company called Trace International Holdings, Inc. He has served as Chairman and/or CEO of numerous public and private companies, including Knoll International, General Felt Industries, Foamex, United Auto Group and most recently, Greystone Logistics. Mr. Cogan also serves as a Director of the Friends of Israel Museum, Trustee of the Boston Latin School, the oldest public school in America, and Trustee of New York University Hospital. He also served on the Board of the Museum of Modern Art for 20 years and was Chairman of Architecture and Design for 10 years. Mr. Cogan graduated from Harvard College and received his MBA from Harvard Business School.
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