Trailer, truck, & body OEMs
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Mack Trucks has named Brian Layman its new vice-president of business development, a newly created position. With 14 years of experience in the trucking industry, Layman most recently was responsible for the Mack Trucks Academy. He will continue to be based in Greensboro NC at Mack world headquarters.
Heil Trailer International Co announced that Troy Hradsky has assumed the role of national accounts manager for stainless steel. Serving with Heil Trailer since 2011, he was previously regional sales manager for the Midwest Region. The company has named Cecil Kennedy engineering team leader of the Rhome TX production engineering department and Larry Finch engineering manager of the Athens TN production engineering department. Kennedy has been with Heil since 1995 and worked as a supervisor on the shop floor before moving to the engineering team. Finch joined Heil in October 2013 as a mechanical engineer in the research and development department.
Component manufacturers
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, part of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO), announced that John Boynton, previously vice-president, sales for BCS, has been promoted to the position of president of BCS. BATO announced that Kurt Danielson has been promoted to president, United States and Canada commercial tire sales. Danielson also will assume the role of senior vice-president, Bridgestone Americas Inc. He joined Bridgestone in 1994 as a territory manager and has served in positions of increasing responsibility with the company since then.
Industry association profiles
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The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) has promoted Meghan Ryan to the position of communications director from editor of Tracks, the bi-monthly publication of NATM. Ryan will continue working as editor of the magazine, serving as staff liaison for the marketing committee, and as representative on the quality committee.
Dealers/distributors
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HDA Truck Pride announces the appointment of John Misken to the sales and marketing team as business development manager for the Western Region, reporting to Tina Alread. Misken, who has 22 years of industry experience, spent the past two years as regional sales manager with Marathon Brake Systems managing the commercial vehicle aftermarket, OES, and transit markets.
Obituaries
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Truck-Lite Co LLC announced that Lee Lydic, most recently the company’s national fleet/systems development manager, died after a battle with cancer. He was 58. A graduate of Youngstown State University, Lydic brought 22 years of heavy-duty experience when he joined Truck-Lite in 1998. He was a member of the firm’s sales team for nearly 15 years. Besides his wife Ann Marie, he is survived by brother Warren (Patty) Lydic of Youngstown OH; brothers and sister-in-law Jos umbus OH 43215; St Jude’s Children Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105; or Special Olympics Ohio, 3303 Winchester Pike, Columbus OH 43232. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
Grote Industries confirmed that Robert “Bob” Hugh Dobrow, one of its longest-serving employees, died April 12, 2014, after a battle with cancer. He was 69. Dobrow joined Grote in 1982 as an OEM sales specialist and later was promoted to director of OEM sales. During the mid-1980s and 1990s, he teamed with Vic Mastis, developing and establishing The Ultra-Blue Modular Wiring System for semi-trailers and building the Grote brand in HD lighting and safety systems. After a short sabbatical, Dobrow returned to Grote as harness business development manager. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jean Dobrow; as well as two sons, Jeffery and Arron.