Trailer, truck, & body OEMs
Rugby Manufacturing welcomes Keri Pedersen to the company’s inside sales team, and she will be responsible for working directly with Rugby distributors on quoting, parts, and other distributor needs. She previously worked in customer service, healthcare, and accounting.
Component manufacturers
Grote Industries has announced new additions to its aftermarket and OEM business unit sales teams. For its aftermarket business, Malin Lewis has been named to cover the Southern California territory. Prior to joining Grote, Lewis most recently was enrollment director at Options Animal, a stock trading skills building organization. Ryan Taylor has joined Grote’s OEM sales team covering the western OEM territory. Taylor was previously employed at Phillips Industries as a territory sales manager.
, a Bartlett IL-based work truck upfitter, announced that Lisa Morales will continue as Northeast national sales manager. Joe Foster has been hired as Midwest national sales manager and Jesse Hopperstad as national sales manager for the Western region. Bill Carey has been promoted to national strategic account manager. Sean Otterberg, manager, special projects; and Brian Swat, van sales specialist, will head up sales for Auto Truck’s van product lines. All fleet sales positions will now report to Corey Stanley, director, national account fleet sales.
USA Harness announces the addition of Neil Robertson as sales engineer. With 30 years of experience in the trailer industry, he most recently served as director of research and development at Fontaine Heavy-Haul. He also formed his own trailer company in Glasgow, Scotland prior to becoming a global specialist for Cottrell Corp.
Cargo Towing Solutions, a manufacturer of electric and electric/hydraulic trailer brake actuators, has appointed Galen Seidner as its national sales manager. In this new position, Seidner will be responsible for expanding sales of the company’s product lines and assisting in development of new products. Seidner has more than 20 years experience in sales and trailer manufacturing.
Philips Automotive North America, a division of Royal Philips, has appointed Russell Stebbins director, automotive aftermarket, and he will be based in Farmington Hills MI. Stebbins joins Philips after a career at TRW Automotive, most recently as director, automotive aftermarket.
Dealers/distributors
Vanguard Truck Centers announced the hiring of John M Thomas, who will serve as executive vice-president of sales. He has extensive experience in the heavy-duty trucking industry, specifically a 38-year tenure with Mack and Volvo. ♦