Many organizations honored achievement and recognized new talent with hirings and promotions throughout the month of June.
Truck, trailer, and body OEMs
Daimler Truck North America expanded Kevin Bangston’s role to include president and CEO of Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. in addition to his current position of president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. He succeeds Jeff Sather after 23 years of service at DTNA. Bangston began work at DTNA in 2001 in corporate finance, eventually filling international leadership positions across the globe. Both FCCC and TBB will report to Bangston.
Bob Martin is retiring from his position of national parts and service manager at M.H. Eby after 30 years. Martin first joined Eby in 1994 as the service manager of the Blue Ball, PA division, until he took responsibility for service and parts activities at all Eby branch locations in 2012. At this time, he also joined the company’s executive leadership team. In retirement, Martin and his wife plan to spend time with family and travel.
Felling Trailers’ Inside Trailer Sales Consultant Laurie Engle is retiring after working with the company for 32 years. She joined the Felling as a parts salesperson before progressing to trailer sales, where she sold livestock/horse cargo trailers directly to end users. She went on to configure trailers for custom solutions, such as when Engle helped build a trailer platform for an amusement park ride company. She intends to spend time with family and friends in retirement.
Suppliers and distributors
Michael Widgren has been promoted to Dayco chief financial and administrative officer after the company’s acquisition by Hidden Harbor Capital Partners. Widgren will work with Craig Frohock, Dayco CEO, out of Birmingham, Michigan, and will be responsible for ensuring the continued profitability and growth of the company, as well as identifying new channels and business opportunities. Prior to joining Dayco in June 2023, Widgren served as VP of Finance and CFO DRIV at Tenneco and controller of North and South America for General Motors.
Grote Industries and Star Safety Technologies hired Gunther Hochapfel as the company’s new regional sales manager. Previously, Hochapfel served a Canadian warning light manufacturer as a sales leader and applications specialist. Now, he will cultivate and fortify Grote and Star Safety Technologies’ relationships with clients and stakeholders.
Associations
Dean Phillips joined the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) as its new director of technical training. Phillips’ responsibilities include leading the association’s work to expand its technical training offerings. Before joining the association, Phillips worked as a production enhancement engineer at Link Systems and founded Longevity Industries. He currently hosts the PMA podcast ‘Destiny of Manufacturing.’ Phillips succeeds Peter Ulintz, who will continue to serve as a PMA consultant, present at seminars, and conduct training.
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is hiring Ryan Stutzman as its chief financial officer. Stutzman replaces former VP and chief financial officer George Afremow, who is retiring after 12 years of service. Stutzman will be based in Diamond Bar, California, at SEMA’s headquarters, and will be overseeing day-to-day finance, investment relations, and accounting activities for the Association. He’ll also help select and implement new company-wide systems. Prior to joining SEMA, Stutzman served at the Cherokee Chemical Co.
Rebecca Conway, vice president, U.S./Canada Aftermarket Marketing for Clarios, and David Stewart, vice president of sales and marketing for Wells Vehicle Electronics, have joined the MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Marketing Executives Council. The two new participants will work to help push aftermarket industry growth through the council, which brings together aftermarket supplier marketing executives to collaborate on manufacturer issues. The council also assists with communication and education for the industry.