DALLAS/FORT WORTH – Cathy Bonner, CEO of Service King, speaks with KERA host Lee Cullum on this month’s episode of CEO. The head of the Texas-based company shares her fast-track growth strategy for the $200 million dollar company, stating “The collision business in Texas is a $3 billion dollar a year business and we cover 70 percent of that. And next year is the year for Service King to go national.” Bonner also discusses the benefits of learning a trade in today’s economy and why women should consider a career in collision repair. “It’s a great career path for women, but something they would probably never think about.” The Dallas native further discusses blazing trails in Austin for women’s rights, business development and cancer research.

KERA’s CEO features insightful discussions with successful North Texas business leaders from the corporate and not-for-profit sectors about what it takes to make a company successful in today’s global marketplace and changing economy. The February episode featuring Cathy Bonner airs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, on KERA TV with rebroadcasts at Noon Sunday, Feb. 26, and at 10:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. CEO also can be heard at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, on KERA FM. Following the initial on-air broadcast, the half-hour program will be available on www.kera.org/ceo. Previous CEO episodes are available on demand at www.kera.org/ceo.

CEO is sponsored by Southwest Securities, the Executive Education Center at The University of Texas at Dallas, The Berry Firm and Sewell Automotive Companies. For more information about Service King, visit www.ServiceKing.com.

ABOUT CATHY BONNER

Cathy Bonner is a business leader recognized for her vision and accomplishments in both private and public arenas. Fortune Magazine named Bonner as one of the 25 most influential women entrepreneurs in America,  saying she is “…smart, gutsy, and innovative–as interested in making a difference as in making money.” Bonner joined Service King as President in 2010 and is now the CEO. During her time at the helm, Service King has expanded to 47 locations in DFW, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. Before joining Service King, Bonner owned and sold three companies and served in the 1991-1994 cabinet of Governor Ann Richards as Executive Director of the Texas Department of Commerce where she helped Texas lead the nation in the number of jobs created. Bonner also conceived of the idea, formed the coalition and passed the legislation funding the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to find cures for cancer and founded The Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future, as well as three leadership training programs: Leadership America, Leadership Texas and Power Pipeline.

ABOUT CEO

Host Lee Cullum conducts insightful discussions with successful North Texas business leaders from the corporate and not-for-profit sectors about what it takes to make a company successful in today’s global marketplace and changing economy. CEO episodes are available on-demand at www.kera.org/ceo.

ABOUT KERA

KERA is a not-for-profit public media organization that serves the people of North Texas. The station broadcasts to the fourth-largest population area in the United States. KERA produces original multimedia content, carries the best in national and international public television and radio programs, and provides online resources at www.kera.org. The station’s extensive coverage of the arts can be found at www.artandseek.org. KERA-TV broadcasts on Channel 13.1. KERA WORLD broadcasts on 13.2. KERA-FM broadcasts on 90.1 in Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton, 88.3 in Wichita Falls, 100.1 in Tyler and 99.3 in Sherman. The music station KXT 91.7 FM is also streamed online at www.kxt.org.

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CONTACT:

Christopher Wagley

Director, Marketing & Communications

KERA, KXT and Art&Seek

cwagley@kera.org

214-740-9377