DTNA Announces Senior Leadership Changes
Daimler Trucks North America announced three high-level appointments in its manufacturing and remanufacturing operations.
Lewallen
Brian Lewallen was named president of Detroit Reman. He will be responsible for developing and executing innovative solutions for Detroit Reman customers and contributing to the company’s environmental sustainability. Detroit Reman remanufactures products for on- and off-highway power systems, electronics, fuel systems and diesel aftertreatment devices.
In his most recent role, Lewallen was director of service operations for DTNA. He started with the company in 1997 as a quality engineer and worked in various technical engineering roles before becoming director of operations for Detroit Reman in Kentwood, Mich.
Erik Johnson accepted the position of general manager of the Cleveland Truck Manufacturing Plant in Cleveland, N.C. He will lead all truck manufacturing operations and direct support functions at Cleveland to ensure the plant performs at maximum efficiency, according to Portland, Ore.-based DTNA.
Johnson
The Cleveland plant manufactures Freightliner Class 8 truck models, as well as Western Star 4700, 4900 and 5700 trucks.
Freightliner is the market share leader in U.S. retail Class 8 sales, according to WardsAuto.com. It accounted for 41.1% of sales in March and increased its first-quarter share to 37.7% from 37.1% a year earlier. Western Star has lost market share this quarter, dipping to 2.4% compared with 2.7% for the first three months of 2017.
In his most recent role, Johnson was director of customer application engineering. He began his career with DTNA as an engineer.
At the same time, Jane Rosaasen was named general manager of the Mount Holly Truck Manufacturing Plant in Mount Holly, N.C.
The Mount Holly plant manufactures Freightliner M2 and SD severe-duty truck models, as well as the cabs for Western Star models built at the Cleveland plant.
Rosaasen
In her most recent role, Rosaasen was director of logistics and co-leader of the Mount Holly plant. She began her career with Chrysler and has held a variety of leadership positions at DTNA, including director of human resources at Daimler Commercial Vehicles Mexico and director of production at the Cleveland Truck Manufacturing Plant, where she put her expertise in Lean manufacturing principles to work.
“I’m proud to be able to announce three such outstanding appointments,” DTNA CEO Roger Nielsen said in a statement. “These leaders have proven their skills and abilities time and time again throughout the company, and I have no doubt they will excel in their new positions. Their leadership and experience will further advance DTNA’s commitment to customer-focused innovation and excellence.”
DTNA did not immediately elaborate on the timing of the appointments.
