CHARLOTTE, Mich., Feb. 3, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- William F. Foster, co-founder, Vice President and member of the Board of Directors at Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR), recently received a special award for his 30 years of commitment to Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) training and education at the Fire Department Safety Officers Association's 23rd Annual Apparatus Symposium.
Foster and Spartan Motors have long supported the FDSOA Apparatus Symposium, as well as the development of the EVT certification programs and the professionalism of the fire-apparatus industry.
John Sztykiel, President and CEO of Spartan Motors, said: "As one of Spartan's founding fathers, Bill's contributions to our company and the industry over the last 30 years are immeasurable. Since the beginning, he has continued to set the highest standards for professionalism, exceptional customer service, dependability, fairness and trust. His wisdom and dedication come in the form of his talent and time, and this industry is much stronger because of it."
Foster has been a Director on the Spartan Motors Board since 1978. A firefighter for 30 years, he is a founder of the company and has served as a Vice President since 1976.
"Your contributions have improved the education safety of new and in-service vehicles and saved the lives of operators and emergency responders," said Al Morganelli, one of the founders of the symposium, when presenting Foster with his award. "Bill always has been and continues to be one of the most giving individuals that I know -- giving to his family, his community and the Delta Township Fire Department. Foster has supported FDSOA and this symposium since day one," he added. "He is a true gentleman and a true friend."
Spartan's beginnings date back to 1975 when the Diamond Reo Truck Company of Lansing, MI, became insolvent. Foster and three other young Diamond Reo engineers saw an opportunity to strike out on their own and continue building trucks for fire and municipal services.
About Spartan Motors, Inc.
Spartan Motors, Inc. designs, engineers and manufactures specialty chassis, specialty vehicles, truck bodies and aftermarket parts for the recreational vehicle (RV) emergency-response, defense, government services, delivery and service markets. The Company's brand names – SpartanTM, Crimson FireTM, Crimson Fire AerialsTM and Utilimaster® – are known for quality, value, service and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 1,500 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Indiana and Texas. Spartan reported sales of $430 million in 2009 and is focused on becoming a global leader in the design, engineering and manufacture of specialty vehicles and chassis. Visit Spartan Motors at .
About FDSOA:
The Fire Department Safety Officers Association was established in 1989 as a non-profit Association, incorporated in Massachusetts. Its mission is to promote safety standards and practices in the fire, rescue and emergency services community. For more information, please visit .
CONTACT: Russell T. Chick Corporate Director of Marketing Spartan Motors, Inc. 517.543.6400