People and Positions for January 2015

Trailer, truck, & body OEMs

Mack Trucks named Dayle Wetherell its new regional vice-president of Canada effective January 1, 2015. He has more than 20 years of experience in the heavy-truck industry and has served as vice president of strategic projects and business development for Volvo Group North America since 2013. Wetherell, who will be based in Mississauga, Ontario, succeeds John McQuade, who retired.

Truck Bodies and Equipment International Inc (TBEI) has hired Kurt Meyer as chief financial officer for TBEI and its family of brands. Meyer has more than 20 years’ experience in finance, information technology (IT), and sales, most recently with Minnesota Elevator in Mankato MN.

Spartan Motors Inc announced that Daniel Slater has joined the company as president of its Emergency Response business. He will report to Daryl Adams, Spartan’s incoming president and chief executive officer. Slater was most recently vice-president and general manager of Terex Cranes Inc.

Cummins Westport Inc (CWI) announced that Rob Neitzke, currently general manager of the construction segment of Cummins off-highway engine business, has been appointed as president of CWI effective January 1, 2015. Gordon Exel, current CWI president, will be returning to a senior leadership position at Westport at the end of 2014. As per the terms of the CWI joint venture agreement, Westport will nominate the chairman of the joint venture for the next three-year term commencing January 1, 2015. This nomination will be confirmed by December 2014.

Legacy Equipment Company announced the recent hiring of John Webster as its general manager. A long-time fleet director for Salt Lake County in Utah, he was nominated three times (2011, 2012, 2014) for Public Sector Manager of the Year and will apply the experience he gained in county public works to serving Legacy Equipment.

Trucking industry’s Mike Pennington dies

D Mike Pennington, a prominent figure in the trucking community with a career that spanned more than 40 years, died of a heart attack recently near his home in Fernandina Beach FL. He was 64.

Pennington started his career in trucking in 1972 as an editor of Southern Motor Cargo in his home town of Memphis TN just after graduating with a degree in journalism from the University of Memphis. Thirteen years later, he moved to Michigan to take over public relations duties for Rockwell Automotive and helped the company transition into the heavy-duty component supplier Meritor. In 2010, he founded PenNotes LLC, a communications business representing a number of clients in the truck aftermarket, as well as providing freelance articles for numerous trucking publications.

Throughout his career, he was active in both industry image and charitable organizations, serving as president of ACT 1, the Allied Committee for the Trucking Industry, as well as working to help establish Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week and the recently formed Aftermarket Leader of Tomorrow program. Most recently he donated his talents to the newly established Trucking Moves America Forward campaign.

Among his many industry recognitions over the years was a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Truck Writers of North America in 2008 and Communicator of the Year Award from the same group in 2006.

For those who knew him, Pennington’s real genius was his capacity to foster genuine friendships with people.

Fellow communications professional Jim Bianchi wrote on Facebook: “In every life, you have a handful of people who profoundly affect you personally and professionally. Maybe your Dad or Mom, a favorite teacher, an uncle or coach or boss. Mike was one of those people for me. Since 1980, when we first met, I’ve been able to call Mike Pennington many things: Editor. Colleague. Mentor. Client. Big brother. Press conference co-conspirator. Cheerleader. Inspirer. Confidant. Counselor. But the title I’m most fortunate—and most proud—to have been able to call him is: Friend.” ♦