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Key appointments position Memorial Group for future growth

April 2004

The management structure of the Cold Spring Granite Co. has recently been strengthened by a series of management changes and appointments, underscoring the beginning of a new sales, marketing and business development era for the company's Memorial Group.

John Mattke was appointed president and chief operations officer for Cold Spring Granite by Pat Alexander, Cold Spring Granite CEO, and the company's board of directors, effective April 2004.

Formerly Memorial Group vice president and general manager and Cold Spring Granite's marketing director, Mattke's leadership is expected to bring a stronger customer and marketing focus. Pat Mitchell, Mattke's predecessor, will remain a top adviser to the CEO and president for the next two years and has been named executive director of business development for the Cold Spring Granite Co. Mitchell will work on developing a stronger, more targeted presence for both Commercial (granite fabrication for commercial buildings and national war memorials) and Memorial Group products and services throughout the country.

Jeff Rathjen replaces Mattke as vice president and general manager of the Memorial Group. Responsible for the performance of the Memorial Group comprising Royal Melrose Granites (monuments), Granit Bronz Memorials (bronze/granite memorials), Granit Bronz Mausoleums (community mausoleums) and Private Estates (family mausoleums), Rathjen brings considerable memorial experience and expertise. He managed more than 340 cemeteries and funeral homes as vice president for the Alderwoods Group for the Midwest and East and Loewen Group International's director of cemetery operations.

Michael T. Baklarz has moved into a new role as vice president of business development for the Memorial Group. Formerly senior vice president of sales, Baklarz is charged with the responsibility of developing new markets and business opportunities for the Memorial Group.

Johnny Phillips, formerly eastern division sales manager, was named vice president of sales for the Memorial Group. Phillips is responsible for the sales of all Cold Spring Granite memorial product lines.

Mike Hornung was named general sales manager of Royal Melrose Granites and Granit Bronz Memorials. Previously assistant-vice president of the Katun Corp., a leading Minneapolis-based office equipment parts and products supplier, Hornung reports directly to Phillips.

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