The board of directors of the Automotive Industry Action Group appointed J. Scot Sharland executive director.
Sharland guides the organization in pursuing the goals and objectives established by the AIAG board of directors.
“Scot Sharland has a dynamic personality and is an experienced professional with an impressive and extensive industry background, in both North America and globally,” says Scott Gray, chairman of the board. “We have an ambitious agenda for AIAG and believe Scot’s leadership will enable the association to continue improving supply chain business processes and support our OEM and supplier members as we face the challenges and issues of these trying industry times.”
With 28 years experience in the automotive industry, Sharland most recently was managing director for Grote & Hartmann GmbH in Germany, a European electrical connector company. Prior to that, he was managing director for Framatome Connectors International in France.
Sharland also was vice president of marketing and sales for American Team Inc., a custom molding business providing design, prototype, tooling, molding, decoration and assembly of plastic parts and components to automotive OEM and supplier customers. Additionally, he spent 13 years with the General Electric Co.’s specialty materials business in marketing, sales and management positions serving both OEMs and suppliers.
Sharland is a graduate of Syracuse University.
SMITH-WINCHESTER
Smith-Winchester, an integrated marketing communications/PR agency, hired Jim Meloche, former president and CEO of French & Rogers, as senior vice president.
“I considered a number of excellent agencies in the Detroit area. I chose to work with Smith-Winchester because of their B-to-B focus and experience, complemented by their work in the consumer advertising arena,” says Meloche. “We’re in a tough market, and our clients demand quality account management, outstanding creative and solid PR. Smith-Winchester has a proven track record in all of these areas.”
Smith-Winchester CEO Charles Weaver says, “Jim has been an aggressive competitor for years, and we’re very happy to have someone of his caliber join our team. Our growth potential just moved up several notches in terms of the manufacturing, technology, building products and service industry segments we serve. I expect our current billings to increase by 30% percent or better in the near term.”
MICROSOFT
Microsoft named Marietta Davis general manager of the Heartland District. Davis manages and oversees Microsoft business development, sales and marketing efforts for Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Davis has more than two decades of experience in sales and marketing in the information technology industry. Most recently, she served as director of headquarter sales for Microsoft’s Central Region, where she led a team of 35 sales managers and was responsible for developing strategic business plans to drive revenue across the region.
Previous positions with Microsoft include director of strategy for the global strategic and major enterprise business and solutions sales manager for the Midwest District. Before joining Microsoft in 1999, Davis worked for IBM, Ameritech, Lotus Development, Lante Consulting and IMR Global.
DETROIT DIESEL CORP.
Detroit Diesel Corp. appointed Bruce Smalley vice president of sales. He is responsible for leadership and coordination of NAFTA On-Highway engine sales.
Previously, Smalley was at Freightliner, where he was general manager of marketing and strategy. He also brings extensive sales experience to his new position based on his time at Freightliner, as well as Cummins Engine Co.
Smalley holds both a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University.
Detroit Diesel also appointed Brian Cota central region general manager and Greg Stahl northeast region general manager. Both oversee sales, product support and customer satisfaction for all on-highway products for various applications.
COMERICA INC.
Comerica Inc. appointed Cassandra McKinney senior vice president and national product and sales management director.
McKinney has more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and product management in the financial services and technology industries. Most recently, she was senior vice president and director of Value Added Deposit Services for Bank of America, where she was responsible for leading a $400 million-plus product management and sales business. McKinney holds bachelor’s degrees from the Columbia University School of Engineering & Applied Science and Dillard University.
AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING INC.
American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. named Yogendra N. “Yogen” Rahangdale president and chief operating officer.
Most recently, he served as executive vice president, operations and planning.
Rahangdale joined AAM in 1995 after spending 12 years at the former Chrysler Corp. in positions including manager, paint and energy management. Since joining AAM, he has served in positions of increasing responsibility, including vice president, manufacturing services; vice president, manufacturing and procurement services; and executive vice president and chief technology officer. He holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the Government Engineering College (A.P.S. University) in Rewa, India, and an MBA from Michigan State University.
