EXHIBIT 99.1
Patterson Dental Company
1031 Mendota Heights Road
St. Paul, MN 55120
Nasdaq: PDCO
AT THE COMPANY: AT THE FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD:
Ronald Ezerski Leslie Hunziker Suzy Olson
Executive Vice President & CFO General Info. Analyst Inquiries
(651) 686-1600 (312) 266-7800 (312) 266-7800
THURSDAY, JULY 1, 1999
PATTERSON DENTAL COMPANY
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, RONALD EZERSKI, TO RETIRE
Hires Seasoned Executive with Extensive Business Experience
MINNEAPOLIS, July 1, 1999 -- Patterson Dental Company (Nasdaq: PDCO) today
announced the early retirement of Ronald Ezerski, executive vice president and
chief financial officer, effective July 31, 1999. R. Stephen Armstrong, formerly
with Ernst & Young LLP, has been named as Ezerski's replacement.
Ezerski, 53, was a member of the original management group that acquired
Patterson in 1985. He began his career with the company in 1982 as vice
president of finance and as president of its subsidiary, Dental Capital
Corporation. That subsidiary was merged into the company in 1988. In 1997
Ezerski became executive vice president of the company. He was named a director
of Patterson in 1983, and will continue to serve on the company's board.
"Over the past 17 years, Ron has made outstanding contributions in every area to
the development and success of Patterson," said Peter Frechette, chairman and
chief executive officer. "Through his leadership and dedication, he has helped
set the standards for Patterson, playing a key role in building a successful
national company recognized as an industry leader. We are very pleased that he
will continue to contribute his experience and advice as a director of the
company."
Patterson Dental Company
Add 2
"While we are sorry to see Ron relinquish his day-to-day role with the company,
we are very pleased to have a leader of Steve's caliber joining us," added
Frechette. "He brings more than 26 years of management and business skills to
Patterson, and has an established track record for success. As we continue to
expand, Steve's expertise will greatly reinforce our efforts."
Armstrong, 48, spent 26 years at Ernst & Young LLP, an international services
firm, most recently as a senior assurance partner, and served as an advisor to
Patterson for five years during his tenure there. At Ernst & Young, he served
publicly held national and multi-national clients in the consumer products,
manufacturing and service industries, with extensive experience in Securities
and Exchange Commission requirements and reporting, inventory accounting
techniques, acquisition due diligence and reporting, corporate income tax, and
stock compensation programs. He also participated in the firm's quality
assurance program, counseling and development of its professional staff,
professional training programs, and recruitment.
Armstrong holds a Bachelors of Science degree from St. John's University,
Collegeville, Minnesota. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants and the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Patterson Dental Company is one of the largest distributors of dental products
in North America. The company supplies more than 82,500 products to dentists,
dental laboratories, institutions, physicians and other healthcare providers.
These products include x-ray film, impression and restorative materials, hand
instruments, sterilization products, front office forms and stationery as well
as capital equipment. Patterson markets its products and services through
approximately 986 sales representatives and equipment specialists in the United
States and Canada.
For further information on Patterson Dental free of charge via fax,
dial 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter the number 207.
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