The Board of Directors Douglas Dynamics Inc. has appointed Mark Van Genderen as president and CEO, effective immediately, the company reported March 3. He will also join the Board of Directors effective immediately.
Van Genderen has been with the manufacturer and upfitter of work truck attachments and equipment for five years, and most recently served as chief operating officer and president of Work Truck Attachments. He succeeds Interim President & CEO James (Jim) L. Janik, who will return to his former role as chairman of the Board of Directors.
"Over the past five years, Mark has developed a deep understanding of our industry, and his business acumen and performance have meaningfully contributed to the company. In addition, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to developing our culture, all of which makes him the ideal person to lead Douglas Dynamics into its next phase of growth,” said Janik. “During his career, Mark has proven his ability to combine the strategic thinking and operational acumen necessary to drive growth. The Board of Directors is confident that Mark’s leadership will be a crucial factor as we strengthen our position as a leader in the work truck industry in the years ahead.”
Van Genderen’s additional roles at the company have included president of Commercial Snow & Ice Control (CSI) from 2021 to 2023, and v.p. of strategy and business development from 2020 to 2021. He joined Douglas Dynamics in 2020 after spending 21 years in multiple leadership roles at the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. These responsibilities included leadership of the company’s Latin America division, the company’s parts and accessories product development function, and Harley-Davidson’s riding gear and lifestyle apparel division which included the company’s eCommerce business
“I am grateful for the trust placed in me by our Board and feel privileged to be leading Douglas Dynamics into the future,” Van Genderen said. “While we continue to honor what has made us successful so far, I look forward to working with our talented team to explore opportunities to evolve and grow, positioning us to deliver long-term success for all stakeholders.”
Lead Independent Director Don Studivant thanked Janik for stepping back into the CEO role on an interim basis.
“His decades long knowledge of the company, plus the relationships he has maintained over the years, allowed for a smooth transition while we assessed the candidates for CEO,” Studivant said. “Jim was able to work with the team to deliver improved results in 2024 and help create a solid foundation for 2025 and beyond.”