Michael Jackson Retiring as Western Star GM
Michael Jackson, general manager of Western Star Truck Sales, will retire at the end of March, parent company Daimler Trucks North America announced Feb. 3. He will be succeeded by Kelley Platt.
Jackson joined DTNA in 2005 as general manager of marketing and controlling. Since becoming Western Star’s GM in 2009, he led “numerous successful product launches,” including the new Western Star 5700XE, the industry’s new benchmark in extreme efficiency for over-the-road applications.
Platt, who will become GM effective April 1, joined DTNA in 1989 as Freightliner Trucks’ manager of treasury services, and played a crucial role in the company’s acquisition of Western Star and Thomas Built Buses, where she most recently served as president and CEO.
Kelley Platt, Photo by Daimler Trucks North AmericaShe will relocate to the Portland, Oregon, area and oversee Western Star’s initiatives from DTNA’s corporate headquarters.
Jackson “has been instrumental to the success of the Western Star brand,” Martin Daum, DTNA’s CEO, said in a statement.
“We have confidence in Kelley Platt’s ability to keep Western Star’s momentum going. Kelley has distinguished herself through her exceptional leadership skills, depth of experience across [DTNA and in] positioning Thomas Built Buses as the undisputed market leader,” Daum said.
