Central Freight Lines Welcomes Three Industry Veterans to Its Manageme

    Business Editors

    WACO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2005--Bob Fasso, President and CEO of Central Freight Lines, Inc. (Nasdaq:CENF) announced today the expansion of Central's management team with the appointments of Robert Cosner, Michael Maher and Cliff Stephens.
    "I am very pleased to welcome three key individuals with proven successes in sales, management and operations who will be effective in reaching our strategic initiatives," said Fasso.
    Central's new Vice President of Fleet Development, Robert (Sonny) E. Cosner, is based in Waco, Texas, and reports directly to Walt Ainsworth. "Our fleet delivers the Central brand to 75 terminals and almost 4,000 cross-docks. We are the tenth largest regional LTL with direct service in 20 states," said Ainsworth. "Sonny has the experience to keep our fleet in top-notch shape, ensuring safety for our drivers, timely deliveries to our customers and flexibility in an ever-evolving marketplace."
    Cosner joined Central in December 2004 and is responsible for all fleet purchases, specifications and maintenance. His current priority is overseeing Central's $34 million investment in improving and increasing the fleet's capacity. Three hundred new tractors and two hundred seventy new trailers are scheduled to enter the fleet by the end of April, 2005.
    "Without fail, Central's customers and our drivers must have access to the best maintained and the safest fleet in the industry," said Cosner. "This is a high standard of excellence, a mark of distinction for both our customers and our drivers. I'm here to make sure we meet that standard."
    Cosner joins Central from USF Dugan in Wichita Kansas where he served as Director of Maintenance. He has worked in the transportation industry since 1963 when he started out as a Mechanic's Helper at Overnite Transportation. He worked his way up the management ladder to Fleet Acquisition Manager and then moved to Highway Express in Richmond, Virginia, where he was Vice President, Maintenance.
    Michael Maher recently joined Central as Director of National Accounts. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Maher is responsible for sales accounts in Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. He brings a broad transportation background and extensive experience working with key long-term customers. He reports to Central Managing Director of Corporate Account Sales, Mark Newcomb.
    "Michael brings an impressive 27 years of experience to the table," stated Newcomb. "His reputation, enthusiasm, and aptitude will increase Central's growth through new account development and excellent customer service. We are very pleased that Michael is bringing his talents to Central."
    Prior to joining Central, Maher was the Director of National Accounts at Jevic Transportation. He also worked for The Custom Company as Vice President of Sales and Marketing and at US Freightways as National Account Manager. "I am very excited to be at Central," said Maher. "This company is in good position to make incredible gains. It has a strong foundation built on solid executive leadership and superior service that has made expansion into the Midwest possible."
    Joining Central in November 2004 as Director of Administration, Cliff Stephens' first priority is streamlining Central's corporate operations. "We are implementing processes that have put us well on the road to achieving non-redundant systems and effective communication between corporate and the field," he said. "These practices allow us to be efficient and responsive in meeting customer demand, building solid employee relations, and delivering crucial budget savings."
    "Cliff's previous experience in all aspects of corporate operations, his expertise, is exactly what Central needs to expedite our growth initiatives," said Executive Vice President Walt Ainsworth. "The addition of Cliff to our team reflects Central's commitment to expand our services and practices to keep pace with our customers growing and changing business needs."
    Stephens has management experience in human resource development and training, sales and marketing, and corporate administration. He most recently served as District Manager for Todays Staffing, Inc. in Dallas Texas. He brings 17 years of transportation industry experience, including Area Manager responsibilities at United Parcel Service and Terminal Manager duties for Federal Express Ground. "Central has solid executive leadership and clearly defined strategic initiatives," said Stephens. "This company is poised to achieve strong growth and I am thrilled to participate in its evolution."

    About Central Freight Lines

    Central Freight Lines, Inc. (www.centralfreight.com) is a non-union less-than-truckload carrier specializing in regional overnight and second day markets. One of the 10 largest regional LTL carriers in the nation, Central provides regional, interregional, and expedited services, as well as value-added supply chain management, throughout the Midwest, Southwest, West Coast and Pacific Northwest. Utilizing marketing alliances, Central provides service solutions to the Great Lakes, Northeast, Southeast, Mexico and Canada.

--30--WAM/la*

CONTACT: Vendely Communications, Inc. 818-623-1000 Maggie Nye (Maggie@vendely.com) Elizabeth Vendely (Elizabeth@vendely.com)

KEYWORD: TEXAS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TRANSPORTATION MANUFACTURING FOREST PRODUCTS FOODS/BEVERAGES RETAIL MANAGEMENT CHANGES SOURCE: Central Freight Lines, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005