Bill Kozek named to head Navistar's North America Truck and Parts business

[kscarbel]

Fleet Owner / May 20, 2013

Truck and engine maker Navistar International Corp. announced this afternoon that it has appointed Bill Kozek president of its North America Truck and Parts business. He succeeds Jack Allen, who last month was promoted to COO.

Kozek, 50, joins Navistar following a 26-year career with Paccar Inc., parent firm of both Peterbilt Motors and Kenworth Truck Co. Kozek most recently held the title of Paccar vp and general manager of Peterbilt.

“Bill is a recognized and respected leader in the North America truck industry, having successfully run both the Peterbilt and Kenworth truck divisions during his career," said Troy Clarke, Navistar president & CEO. "We look forward to the new perspectives and expanded strategic thinking he will bring to our core North America truck and parts business."

"I am eager to be joining this iconic American company at this exciting point in its history," Kozek said. "Troy, Jack and the entire Navistar team are executing an impressive turnaround, and with its new product launches, the company is well positioned to begin winning back market share. I look forward to working with them and our dealers in helping to lead the company back to its rightful leadership position."

Kozek will report to Allen and serve on the company's senior leadership team.

"I have known Bill for many years and I am thrilled to have a person of his character and industry expertise join our team," Allen said. "His tremendous experience and capabilities, combined with his winning management style, make him the right person to drive our truck and parts business back to the market-leading position in North America."

Kozek had served as Paccar vp and Peterbilt gm since January 2012. In that role, he was responsible forall aspects of Peterbilt's U.S. and Canadian operations.

He served as vice president of Paccar China in 2011, where he was responsible for purchasing and business development.

Prior to that, Kozek was Paccar vp and general manager of Kenworth division, which included responsibility for all U.S. and Canadian operations. He held that position from October 2008 to June 2011.

Kozek began his career as an accountant for Peterbilt in 1987 and served in a number of finance roles before moving into operations as a Kenworth parts district manager in 1995. He spent the next 13 years at Kenworth moving through a number of key operational roles with increasing responsibility.

[kscarbel]

This is BIG news. Bill Kozek is a top notch veteran truck man who knows both the US and global markets. For Kozek to leave Paccar after 26 years and join Navistar, plus having Jack Allen* in the picture, I'm feeling more confident about Navistar's future prospects than I've felt in a long time. Perhaps Volkswagen has missed their window of opportunity and this truckmaker shall remain American.

*http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/30845-navistar-names-coo-as-management-revamping-continues/

I assume that former General Motors car guy Troy Clarke has finally realized he isn't qualified for the job, but is to proud to leave, so he's surrounding himself with some high caliber truck men that can guide him along (I'd still prefer Clarke show himself the door). For Kozek to leave Paccar, Clarke certainly must have given him the world (and then some).