Jiffy Lube International adds operations and customer experience executives to senior management team

In a continuing effort to advance operational excellence and improve the customer experience, Jiffy Lube International (JLI), has named two new senior managers to its team. Rick Altizer recently joined the company as general manager of global operations from Midas International, while Craig Linington arrived earlier this year from McDonald's Corporation to serve as the company's customer experience manager.

In his role as general manager of global operations, Altizer is responsible for the operation of the company store and franchise networks in the United States and Canada. He will oversee delivery of profit and loss performance, implementation of strategic growth initiatives, staff development, and health, safety, security and environment (HSSE) goals, as well as other strategic imperatives.

"Jiffy Lube International set the bar extremely high in looking to fill this critical role for our organization," says Luis Scoffone, president of Jiffy Lube International. "We are privileged to have Rick's extensive knowledge of the automotive industry and more than 20 years of operations and financial management experience. I look forward to collaborating with Rick and learning from his expertise as we work to make our system stronger and deliver on our business strategy."

During his four years at Midas, Altizer held the position of vice president of operations and training with 1,500 stores reporting to him. He worked closely with franchisees to create positive, customer-focused relationships and created the centralized and standardized Midas Learning System to train shop managers and technicians. In addition, Altizer developed and implemented the successful One Midas Business Review and Planning process, launched new tire and maintenance services, and contributed to the development of the company's re-imaging strategy.

Prior to Midas, Altizer spent 14 years with the McDonald's Corporation in a variety of roles throughout the organization. His last position at the company was vice president and general manager in the Heartland Region, based in Kansas City. He was responsible for 500 restaurants and managed a 70-person corporate staff.

Altizer holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Bob Jones University.

JLI also created a new customer experience manager position on its leadership team and hired Linington to fill the role.

"We are fully committed to maximizing customer satisfaction and their overall experience every time they interact with Jiffy Lube," Scoffone says. "Craig will help JLI evolve the business through our unwavering focus on delighting every customer and developing innovative strategies."

Linington is developing the strategic framework, standards and processes to optimize and sustain the desired customer experience for more than 2,200 Jiffy Lube service centers. He is responsible for creating a strategic vision for the customer experience across the global fast lubes organization and improving performance across all aspects of the in-store customer experience.

Before JLI, Linington spent 11 years with the McDonald's Corporation in a variety of roles. Linington was an operations consultant working with company stores and franchisees in the United Kingdom, before moving to Chicago to develop and implement training and strategic business building programs designed to increase customer satisfaction. Prior to joining JLI, he served as a field service manager for the Southern Region, working with franchisees to improve operations through training and customer-focused programs.

Linington holds a Master's degree in geography with honors from Oxford University in England.

For more information about Jiffy Lube International, visit the company's Web site.