American LaFrance LLC announced that Bill Hinz has joined Patriarch Partners Management Group as managing director/platform leader for the Aero, Auto, & Truck Platform, which includes American LaFrance. Effective immediately, he will assume the role as president and chief executive officer of American LaFrance. He has more than 40 years of experience leading manufacturing companies in the aerospace, biotechnology, and telecommunications industries. Mark Cossitt has been named national manager of service operations for American LaFrance's Commercial Division. He previously served as training manager and will continue to have this responsibility until a replacement is named. Dan Koester recently accepted the position of western regional service manager. His background is in heavy-duty trucks, with previous stints at Heil Environmental and Waste Management in service and parts operations. Jeff Cook has been named national sales manager for American LaFrance's Commercial Division. Cook, who has more than 20 years of experience in the refuse and heavy-duty truck industry, joined the company in 2006 and formerly served as southeast regional sales manager.
VT Specialized Vehicles Corp Inc (VT SVC), a company of Vision Technologies Systems Inc (VT Systems), has named Tracey Maynor senior vice-president, sales and operations. Maynor previously was vice-president of sales and operations for a large national manufacturer of dry freight and refrigerated van trailers.
MAC Trailer Manufacturing has appointed Mike McDonough as product manager—platforms. With more than 25 years of truck, trailer, and leasing experience, he will be responsible for management and direction of the flatbed division with emphasis on development of fleet accounts across the United States and Canada.
Fontaine International—North America has named Henry Bell president, and Terry Mennen has joined the company as vice-president of business development. Bell joined the Fontaine family in August 2005 as president of the Fleet Business Unit of Fontaine Trailer. Mennen comes to the firm with more than 23 years' experience in the commercial vehicle industry.