TRAILER, TRUCK & BODY OEMs
Great Dane announced the promotion of Chris Hammond to executive vice-president of sales. With more than 22 years working for Great Dane, he has held a variety of sales positions in both the independent dealer and company-owned branch channels. Most recently, Hammond was vice-president of dealer and international sales.
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) announced that Michael Jackson, general manager of Western Star Truck Sales Inc, will retire March 31, 2015. Jackson joined DTNA in 2005 as general manager–marketing and controlling. Kelley Platt will become general manager of Western Star effective April 1, 2015. She joined DTNA in 1989 as Freightliner manager of treasury services and most recently was president and chief executive officer of Thomas Built Buses.
Truck Bodies & Equipment International Inc (TBEI) has added Robert “Bob” Plichta as its new South Central territory manager for Crysteel, Rugby, and DuraClass brands. He will be based in Arkansas and will cover Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Plichta comes to TBEI with more than 12 years of experience at firms including Sno-Way International, Warren Equipment, Truck and Parts of Tampa, and Clement/HilBilt Manufacturing.
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America Inc (MFTA) announced that Brian Shantz has been named general manager, Canadian operations, effective immediately. He began his career with MFTA in 1999 as the director, sales for the firm’s then-new subsidiary Mitsubishi Fuso Truck Canada (MFTC).
DUECO Inc has appointed Jerry Kienast as Midwest Region service manager, supporting the Waukesha WI and Bourbon IN service centers and mobile service teams supporting customers in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. He joins DUECO after 10 years as service director at Reinders Inc, a Sussex WI-based provider to the turf management industry.
COMPONENT MANUFACTURERS
announced organizational changes within Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC) that took effect February 1. Rick Phillips has been promoted from senior director, commercial and OTR sales to vice-president of sales, consumer, commercial, and OTR. Larry Kull moves from senior director, tire business planning and sales operations to senior director, consumer sales. Fred Koplin transitions from senior director, consumer sales to senior director, marketing. Andrew Briggs has been promoted from senior director, marketing, product planning, and technical services to senior director, tire business planning, product planning, and sales operations.
Auto Truck Group has announced Brian Black as its new manager of national accounts. He has 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. Prior positions include regional manager at TMX Finance, field sales manager at Manheim, and group remarketing manager with Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Bridgestone Commercial, a division of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO), announced a new head of marketing for the commercial tire division. As vice-president of that division, Marshall Hyzdu will lead marketing initiatives for OTR and commercial truck and bus tire products. He has an extensive background in marketing for global brands, including Valvoline and Kraft Foods.
