People and Positions April 2017

has taken the reins at Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) as president and CEO, replacing Martin Daum, who moved up to become a member of the board of management and head of Daimler Trucks and Buses at DTNA’s parent company, Germany’s Daimler AG. Nielsen will also oversee DTNA’s affiliated companies, which include Freightliner Trucks, Western Star Trucks, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp (FCCC) and Detroit Diesel Corp. For the past 16 years, he has served as DTNA’s chief operating officer.

has been appointed business development manager responsible for ongoing business growth activities at TruckCraft Corporation. For the past 23 years, he has served the company as sales manager. Barry Umbrell has been promoted to sales manager responsible for all sales and customer service activities at TruckCraft. Umbrell has handled inside sales since coming onboard with the firm in 2012.

Ben Boles has joined Hercules Manufacturing Company as an inside sales representative. With a career specializing in customized products and holding various sales positions, he most recently worked as a sales representative at First Line Fire Extinguishers.

Palfinger has appointed Keith Ball regional sales manager–South Central for Omaha Standard Palfinger, and he will be responsible for Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas markets while working closely with distribution partners and customers. Ball has more than 20 years of experience working directly with customers in the work truck industry.

Al LaRhette is retiring after 10 years as Ridewell Suspensions’ regional sales manager for the Northeast and more than 50 years in the industry. Succeeding him is Bill Buchamer, who has 25 years of transportation industry experience. He previously served as district sales manager for Hendrickson International.

announced the appointment of Dean Jenkins as managing director and chief executive officer. He was most recently chief operating officer and executive director of the Weir Group PLC and also held divisional managing director roles for that company’s Minerals and Power and Industrial divisions. Jenkins replaces Michael Brockhoff, the former managing director who plans to retire from MaxiTRANS.

Brandon Covault has joined Hutchens Industries as regional manager of its Great Lakes sales territory, which covers Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. With more than 20 years of experience in the trucking industry, he previously worked for Reyco Granning in an outside sales position covering the United States and Mexico.

has accepted the position of assistant product manager and inside sales for American Eagle Accessories Group, a division of Stellar Industries, and he will be based at the Hastings NE location. Vertin has been a member of the Valley Industries staff for more than seven years.

Hiab, part of Cargotec, has appointed Scott Hall as senior vice-president, sales and services. Before joining Hiab in 2015, he worked more than 10 years at Volvo Construction Equipment, most recently as president and chief executive officer of Volvo Rents. Hall succeeds Sebastian Poccard, who has decided to leave Hiab to pursue other interests.

FABRICATORS

Koike Aronson, a manufacturer of metal cutting and positioning equipment, announces that current president and chief operating officer James McAuliffe Jr has been named chief executive officer of the company. He replaces Jerry Leary, who has retired after leading Koike Aronson since 2002. McAuliffe joined Koike Aronson in 2016.

DEALERS/DISTRIBUTORS

has completed its leadership succession plan with the board of directors naming Chris Baer as the new chief executive officer. Baer adds CEO duties to his responsibilities as president of VIPAR Heavy Duty, a position he assumed in late October 2016. He succeeds Steve Crowley, who has retired after serving more than 16 years as the organization’s president and CEO.

Don Hu has been promoted to vice-president and chief financial officer at CIMC Intermodal Equipment. Hu joined CIMC in 2012 and previously served as controller. Maria Munoz, who has has been with CIMC since 2012, was promoted from human resources manager to director of human resources and corporate events. Johnny Perez, who joined the firm in 2012, has been promoted to purchasing manager. John Garcia and Eddie Pulido have been named field service technicians, and Ernie Paniagua will now be responsible for West Coast sales. Alex Valadez moved from his position as administrative assistant to company store sales in the Los Angeles metro region. ♦