John O'Leary has been named chief financial officer of Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA). Previously senior vice-president of service and parts, he will continue to serve on the company's executive Operating Committee. He will succeed Juergen Kritschgau, who is retiring as CFO after 27 years of service to Daimler. Friedrich Baumann has been appointed to succeed O'Leary as senior vice-president-service and parts. Baumann returns to DTNA after a global assignment leading Daimler's Engine Holding organization.
Thomas B Hogan Jr has been elected to Supreme Industries Inc's board of directors. Hogan is the retired chief operating officer-Northeast practice of public accounting firm Deloitte & Touche. He also served as director of Energy East Corporation until its sale in 2008.
Triune Specialty Vehicle Manufacturing has named Roger J Ruel to the newly created position of vice-president-sales engineering. He joins the firm from MRA experiential tours & equipment, where he served as vice-president of sales engineering.
DUECO Inc has named Marikris O'Grady executive vice-president responsible for operations, finance, IT, and human resources. She most recently led the firm's inside sales team and supported operations projects.
TBEI Inc has promoted Tina Albrightto vice-president of human relations. She has been with the company for more than 17 years with roles in production, sales, and human resources.
Polar Tank Trailer has named Garrity Gerber marketing manager, and he will be based at company headquarters in Opole MN. With eight years of sales and marketing experience, he most recently served with St Cloud Window.
Stahl/Scott Fetzer Company has appointed Brandon Stotsenburg vice-president of sales and marketing. A 20-plus-year transportation industries and commercial vehicle veteran, he has led sales and marketing teams, most recently at Mobile Awareness LLC.
Component manufacturers
Ty Hutchens, who has been promoted to vice-president of administration at Hutchens Industries, will assume more executive-level operational responsibilities. Dan Cordier, who has been promoted to vice-president of sales-USA, will direct Hutchens' sales efforts for OEM and aftermarket customers in the 48 contiguous United States and Hawaii. Eugene Robinett, who has been promoted to vice-president of sales-international, will direct sales in Alaska, all international sales efforts, as well as targeted efforts in the intermodal and marine market sectors. Mike White, who has been with the firm almost 50 years, will now serve as an industry consultant for the company to assist in sales and marketing efforts.
Meritor Inc has appointed Chris Villavarayan vice-president, Global Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, Commercial Truck. He previously was general manager, Operations Planning & Strategy. Chris Snodgrass has been named vice-president, Axles & Drivelines, Commercial Truck, North America. Previously, he was vice-president, Global Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management. Joe Plomin has been appointed vice-president, Global Brakes, Commercial Truck after serving most recently as vice-president, Truck Americas. These appointments all take effect June 1.
Accuride Corporation announced that William M Lasky has stepped down as chairman of its board of directors. He served as interim president and chief executive officer from September 2008 to February 2011 while the company searched for a permanent CEO. The board of directors has elected its lead independent director, John W Risner, as chairman. A member of this board since February 2010, Risner has served as president of The Children's Tumor Foundation since 2005. He also serves on the board of directors, audit, and finance committees of NII Holdings.
Fontaine Modification has promoted Dan Jaynes to vice-president of new product development and quality assurance. He has served for almost three years as director of quality systems and corporate procurement. Kim Hall had served in many roles in the Dublin Modification Center for more than 10 years before her recent promotion to director of training and employee development. Erik Swanger has joined Fontaine Modification as director of innovation with 20 years' experience in the truck and bus industry. Bill O'Shea was promoted to director of fleet services. He previously served as director of customer response and sales engineering compliance and warranty assurance. Ivan Barnes, who has a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Arizona, was promoted to director of vocational services. Harrison Dearth was recently
promoted to production manager at the Dublin Modification Center. Previously, he was national warranty and aftermarket parts manager. Jennifer Lee was promoted to Southern Region inventory control manager, based in Garland TX. She previously served in both production and quality assurance.
VMAC's research and development department has added Mike Cummings, a mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Victoria, to its staff. He will work with VMAC's engineering team and focus on new product development.
Sika Corporation, Industry Products Division has named Marcy Burris western area sales manager-Transportation A&C, reporting to Jerry Clayton, Western Region sales manager. With more than 20 years of experience, she previously spent 14 years with Dow Automotive in technical service roles. Burris will relocate from Michigan to Arizona in June.
Ancra International has hired Ryan Friend as regional sales executive for the Northeast Region. For the past 10-plus years, he has been the regional sales manager for Delaware Valley Packaging Group. Ancra has hired David Nalbandian as regional sales executive for the West Region, which includes California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. For the past several years, he has a proven track record of sales with top honors for sales production and territory management.
Tarpstop LLC announced that Bob Abrahamson, formerly with Ancra International, has joined Tarpstop as director of outside sales. He brings more than 35 years of industry knowledge and experience to the company.
Fabricators
Comeq Inc has appointed Eric Lenhart vice-president of sales. He has more than 17 years of experience with importation, distribution, and sales of metal fabricating equipment in North America.
Dealers/distributors
HDA Truck Pride has appointed Josh Schwartz director of product management. With seven years of industry experience, he comes to the company after two years of operational and dispatch supervision roles with J B Hunt and Graebel Van Lines.
Trailer Wizards Ltd has appointed Arthur Christakos vice-president of its Ontario Region. He served nine years as a direct sales representative, seven years as systems sales manager, and 13 years at the vice-president level.
Polar Service Centers has named Jerry Cignarella general manager of its northeast region. He is responsible for locations in West Chester PA, Bensalem PA, and Rahway NJ, as well as Cherry Hill NJ, which will open in summer 2012. Cignarella joins the company from D&W Diesel, a supplier of engine components and tank equipment for commercial vehicles.