AutoWeb Appoints Sara Partin as Chief Human Resources Officer


IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoWeb, Inc. (Nasdaq: AUTO), a robust digital marketing platform providing advertising solutions for automotive dealers and OEMs, has appointed Sara Partin as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) effective October 22, 2018.

Partin brings more than a decade of human resources experience to AutoWeb. Most recently, she served as CHRO of the Yellow Pages (YP) during the company’s significant business transformation in 2017. Prior to YP, Partin led the human resources team for Cox Automotive Media Solutions Group, which includes Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, and Dealer.com, where she worked to integrate three teams with unique cultures and approaches into one strategic group with common goals and values.  

“Sara’s extensive background running human resources for large automotive and media companies will be an invaluable asset,” said Jared Rowe, president & CEO of AutoWeb. “Human resources is a strategic function that helps to fuel the growth of innovative technology firms. We look forward to utilizing her experience in building teams, driving change, and rationalizing human capital needs and efforts as we rebuild and strengthen our team in support of our new strategic direction.”

Partin commented on her appointment: “AutoWeb has built a unique digital marketing platform providing OEMs and dealers with high-quality advertising solutions. As we introduce new strategic initiatives to better capitalize on this platform, I look forward to working with the team to bolster and better align the company’s human capital with our new objectives.”

Partin holds a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Stanford University.

Inducement Options
As an inducement for joining the company, Partin was granted options to acquire 50,000 shares of the company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to $2.50 per share, which was the closing price of the common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on the October 22, 2018 grant date. The options have a term of seven years, and one-third of the options will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date and one thirty-sixth of the options shall vest on each successive monthly anniversary of the grant date for the following twenty-four months. Vesting of the options will accelerate upon the occurrence of certain events, including a termination of Partin’s employment by the company without cause or by Partin for good reason or upon a change in control of the company.

About AutoWeb, Inc.
AutoWeb, Inc. provides high-quality consumer leads, clicks and associated marketing services to automotive dealers and manufacturers throughout the United States. The company also provides consumers with robust and original online automotive content to help them make informed car-buying decisions. The company pioneered the automotive Internet in 1995 and has since helped tens of millions of automotive consumers research vehicles; connected thousands of dealers nationwide with motivated car buyers; and has helped every major automaker market its brand online.

Investors and other interested parties can receive AutoWeb news alerts and special event invitations by accessing the online registration form at http://investor.autoweb.com/alerts.cfm.

Company Contact
Wesley Ozima
Interim Chief Financial Officer
949-225-4543
wes.ozima@autoweb.com

Investor Relations Contact
Sean Mansouri or Cody Slach
Liolios Investor Relations
949-574-3860
AUTO@liolios.com