GRANDVIEW, Mo., March 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Peterson Manufacturing, a global leader in transportation-based safety lighting technology and related equipment, has appointed Kristen Goodson as Vice President - Product Management. Goodson's new role includes creating product strategies and recommendations, involvement in all product decisions, and coordinating crossfunctional team initiatives from initial product planning to engineering, tooling, manufacturing, packaging and sales launches. She will report directly to Peterson President/CEO, Don Armacost, Jr., and will also serve on the company's board of directors.

Goodson joined Peterson upon earning her Bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas in 1995, and has been heavily involved in developing lighting solutions for the OEM and heavy-duty markets ever since –– most recently as Director of Product Management. Goodson is the immediate past President and current board member of TSEI (Transportation Safety Equipment Institute), a non-profit trade association serving the needs of safety equipment manufacturers.

Steve Meagher, Peterson Vice President - Sales, said that Goodson's skill set and significant industry and lighting product expertise are ideal qualities for her new position. "Kristen is a natural leader," Meagher said. "She will accelerate Peterson's focus on developing innovative products of superior design and USA-made quality for the Original Equipment and Heavy-Duty markets."

Goodson said she looks forward to continuing to help build the Peterson brand through such new products as the LumenX Series of LED signal lights, whose breakthrough optics take LED brightness and safety to a new level. "Enhanced vehicle safety and visibility are major concerns for fleets and trailer OEMs," Goodson said. "I'm excited about Peterson's capabilities to meet those concerns with an ever-growing line of great products."

Goodson and husband Clint and four children reside in Raymore, MO and are active participants in the local soccer scene.

ABOUT PETERSON MANUFACTURING

Peterson Manufacturing Company is a world-leading innovator in the engineering and production of a complete line of vehicle safety lighting, custom wiring harnesses, and many other safety-related products. As an ISO 9001:2008 certified company, Peterson Manufacturing is a key subsidiary of Peterson Corporation, nine highly specialized companies and nearly 1,000 associates working in global transportation-related industries. With headquarters in the greater Kansas City area, Peterson Manufacturing is a privately held company and has been in operation since 1945.