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Heartland Automotive Announces the Appointment of Jeff Balagna as Chief Executive Officer

Rosemont, IL – March 6, 2018 – Heartland Automotive Services, Inc. (dba Team Car Care, LLC), a portfolio company of Wynnchurch Capital, LLC (“Wynnchurch”), announced today that it has appointed Jeff Balagna as Chief Executive Officer.

With more than 35 years of experience, Mr. Balagna is a seasoned executive with broad management expertise. His career spans multiple industries and includes stints at prominent brands including Medtronic, General Electric, Ford, Eli Lilly, Sears, and Carlson Companies.

Mr. Balagna has served as CEO of Friday’s Restaurants, Carlson Marketing, Sears Auto Centers, and Sears Home Services. Additionally, he has held C‑level positions at Medtronic and Eli Lilly, and senior executive roles at General Electric and Ford Motor Company.

Mr. Balagna said, I am delighted about the opportunity to serve as Chief Executive Officer of Heartland Automotive and to partner with the Wynnchurch team. As part of the Jiffy Lube organization, the Company has unmatched brand value in the industry. I am looking forward to working with such a dedicated team and executing on our value creation initiatives together.”

John Hatherly, Co-Managing Partner at Wynnchurch said, We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Jeff. Jeff, the former CEO of Sears Automotive Services, brings significant industry and operational expertise which we feel will allow him to take Heartland to the next level in delivering exceptional value for Heartland’s customers.”

About Heartland

Heartland, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is the market leader in the quick oil change segment of the Do-It-For-Me” (“DIFM”) automotive aftermarket. The company operates 523 stores across 26 states. The company has grown to be the largest operator and franchisee of the highly-recognizable Jiffy Lube brand. For more information, please visit: http://www.heartland.jiffylube.com.

About Wynnchurch Capital

Wynnchurch Capital, LLC, headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois, with offices in California and Canada, was founded in 1999, and is a leading middle-market private equity investment firm. Wynnchurch’s strategy is to partner with middle market companies in the United States and Canada that possess the potential for substantial growth and profit improvement. Wynnchurch Capital manages a number of private equity funds with $2.2 billion of committed capital under management and specializes in recapitalizations, growth capital, management buyouts, corporate carve-outs and restructurings. For more information, please visit: www​.wyn​nchurch​.com.

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