Hartmann Announces Katrina Survivor as Winner of "Me & My Hartmann" Contest.

Contest's Inspiration Takes All in a Unanimous Decision 

LEBANON, Tenn. -- Hartmann, Inc., one of the country's oldest luggage and leather goods manufacturers currently celebrating its 130th anniversary, announced today that Albert Tillman, a Hurricane Katrina survivor, was the winner of the company's nationwide contest entitled Me & My Hartmann. The contest, launched this past September, was aimed at finding the most interesting and compelling stories relating to Hartmann's consumers and their products.

Ironically, the Me & My Hartmann contest was conceived as the result of a letter Hartmann received from Mr. Tillman. When news of the Hurricane began to circulate, he placed all of his most important documents into his Hartmann hard-sided attache and left his home and case behind to weather the storm. His home was destroyed by the storm and flood; he lost everything. While in a shelter, his brother and sister, who had sifted through the rubble of what had been his home, found his Hartmann attache. Mr. Tillman was amazed to find all of his most precious documents perfectly intact! He was so relieved and happy to have these items that he wrote Hartmann a letter describing the ordeal which was subsequently entered into the contest.

"Mr. Tillman's letter reminded all of us of the many heart-warming stories we have heard from our customers about their Hartmann product and lifetime experiences, inspiring us to search for more," said David Herman, president of Hartmann. "Of the many entries we received, we are thrilled that he was selected as the winner by our esteemed panel of judges."

"As Hartmann embarks on its 130th anniversary, this is a time for reflection on our past as well as looking ahead toward our future," said Ken Hinman, vice president of sales, product design and marketing for Hartmann. "Honoring Albert Tillman and his inspiring story is the perfect way to kick off Hartmann's historic anniversary celebration."

Mr. Tillman, who is currently living in a Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) trailer while he waits for his home to be rebuilt, was thrilled to have won the contest. When notified he said: "Winning anything is always exciting but to have the chance to take a break from all that is going on here in Gulfport is just what I need. I look forward to visiting Hartmann and then taking a long-overdue vacation!"

As the Me & My Hartmann contest winner, Mr. Tillman and a guest will be flown to Nashville, Tennessee and the headquarters of Hartmann, courtesy of Delta Air Lines. While in Tennessee, the pair will tour the Hartmann factory in Lebanon and select a three piece set of Hartmann Luggage. Once their tour is complete, the two will stay at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville and experience many of the local delights that Nashville offers, including an assortment of gifts from the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau.

From Hartmann, Mr. Tillman and his guest will be whisked away to St. Pete Beach, Florida, via Delta Air Lines, where they will enjoy a three night stay, all expense-paid-trip, to the luxurious Loews Don CeSar Resort.

Albert Tillman estimated that he had owned his Hartmann case for approximately 20 years saying that he purchased it because of its attractiveness as well as its functionality. Hartmann has replaced his Katrina business case with a new Belting Leather Attache in Cognac. His original case, knick-named the "survivor" resides at the Hartmann Corporate Headquarters archives beside a Trunk used by actor Jimmy Stewart and a large suitcase once owned by baseball legend Joe DiMaggio.

Albert Tillman's story and photos will be posted on www.meandmyhartmann.com. The entire contest was run on this site where users were able to vote for the stories they liked best, and Albert Tillman's story fast became one of the top-rated stories. The final decision was made by a panel of three judges including Peter Greenberg, NBC Today Show editor, author and producer; Michele Marini Pittenger, president of the Travel Goods Association and Jeff Robertson, managing director of the Delta Sky Miles program.

As part of the Me & My Hartmann contest, Hartmann made a donation to the Airline Ambassadors International organization, www.airlineamb.org. This organization is a network of airline employees and others, who volunteer as "Ambassadors of Goodwill," providing humanitarian aid to children and families in need both at home and abroad.

Since 1877, Hartmann, Inc., has developed, manufactured and marketed the finest luggage and leather goods to meet the travel and business needs of those who appreciate American luxury. Headquartered in Lebanon, TN, Hartmann distributes and sells its luggage, business cases, accessories and personal leather goods in the U.S. and internationally through better-grade department and specialty luggage stores. Hartmann is owned by Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BFB) (NYSE:BFA), a diversified producer of fine quality consumer products, including Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Canadian Mist, Fetzer and Bolla Wines and Korbel California Champagnes. For more information about Hartmann, visit www.hartmann.com.