People and Positions for March 2014

Component manufacturers

Meritor Inc announced that Sandra Quick has joined the company as senior vice-president, general counsel, and corporate secretary. She will also be a co-executive sponsor of the company’s Women’s Business Resource Group and continue its efforts to advance and empower women at Meritor. Quick was formerly group vice-president and general counsel for the Electronics and Interiors Division of Johnson Controls Inc.

Eaton announced that Aditya “A D” Naik has been named vice-president, finance, Vehicle Group, reporting to Ken Davis, president, Vehicle Group. Naik most recently served as vice-president, finance, for Precision Castparts Corp’s Wyman-Gordon Aerospace/Turbine Group. He will be based in Galesburg MI.

Custom Hoists Inc has hired Jim Box as international sales manager covering the Canadian provinces. He has 40 years of experience in the transportation industry, including serving as business development manager with Eveley Suspensions and regional manager of Canada for Reyco Suspensions.

Gabriel (Ride Control LLC) announced that Curt Huston has been appointed general manager. With more than 25 years of automotive and aftermarket industry experience, he was most recently executive director of business development at Continental Structural Plastics.

Auto Truck Group announces three new executive appointments. Pete Dondlinger has been named vice-president of operations; Brad Blanco has been named vice-president of IT, finance, and administration; and Pam Bodzioch has been named human resources manager. Dondlinger served previously as the director of railroad operations, and Blanco most recently was director of finance. Bodzioch has more than 15 years of HR generalist experience. She has been serving in the US Navy Reserves since 2001, most recently as an HR officer for the Ninth Navy Construction Regiment in Fort Worth TX.

The Alamo Group Inc has appointed Robert Madison director of marketing and sales development for its Leavenworth KS-based division, Henke Manufacturing. With 17 years’ experience as a regional/territory sales manager, Madison previously served Henke from 1997 through 2003 as a regional sales manager. In late 2003, he accepted a position with a start-up manufacturing company, helping create its brand identity, position itself in the marketplace, and grow sales.

Karmak Inc has named Mike York vice-president of operations. Trained in Six Sigma, York brings with him well over a decade of leadership experience in operations management. He also has experience working closely with ERP software. Karmak also appointed Scott Elbring vice-president of sales. Since joining the firm in July, he has been refocusing the sales team on identifying opportunities to deliver increased value for organizations in the industry.

Hansen International Inc has added Keith Spittler to its sales team as strategic accounts manager. With 35 years of sales and sales management experience in the OEM industry, he will focus on Hansen’s utility/service body, trailer, and specialty vehicle markets.

Fleet Brake announced that Greg Jordan has joined the Calgary, Alberta-based distributor as senior business development manager. He will be based at Fleet Brake’s Mississauga, Ontario location. Jordan’s experience includes sales and business development roles at Truck-Lite including national sales director, aftermarket sales North America.

River States Truck and Trailer, a Freightliner dealership with locations in La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Roberts WI, has added Pete McEathron as territory representative for Roberts parts customers. Jacob Krzyzak will assist parts counter customers at the La Crosse location. Tyler Muller and Michael Moreland have joined River States as diesel technicians in La Crosse and Roberts, respectively. Ron Albrecht will serve finance and insurance customers from the La Crosse location.