Chicago, IL–June 20, 2006–JC Whitney, the nation's leading direct marketer of automotive aftermarket accessories and parts announces that Joe Risch has joined the company as the new Vice President of Merchandising. He replaces Gene Geiger, who is retiring.

Risch is a well-known figure in the automotive world with over 25 years of merchandising experience at the Pep Boys. His last position there was Assistant Vice President of Merchandising Enhancement. Risch was responsible for improving results in many of Pep Boys lines of business. Since 2005, he has been General Manager of the automotive division of Sitoa Corp, a privately held technology company that connects suppliers to retailers in the e-commerce workplace.