Katzkin Names Jim Yost to Advisory Board
Former CFO of Fisker Automotive Brings Katzkin Deep Expertise and Industry Experience
MONTEBELLO, Calif., Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Katzkin, the global leader in vehicle interior transformation, announced today that industry veteran Jim Yost has joined the company's Advisory Board with a focus on helping the company expand its automotive manufacturer programs. While most recently, Yost served as CFO for Fisker Automotive, he began his career at Ford Motor Company, where he worked for 27 years, serving in senior and executive level roles in North America, Europe and South America.
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According to Brooks Mayberry, CEO for Katzkin, the company's industry leadership has expanded through its customization expertise – which has become a key consumer expectation. Automotive manufacturers are keenly aware of this trend with consumers, spending more than $30 billion annually in specialty automotive products. "The lines between custom vehicles from the factory and the aftermarket are blurring as consumers demand more choice," said Mayberry. "Vehicle Interior Personalization allows the automotive manufacturer to respond to consumer wants and needs with vehicle interiors that are tailored to individual tastes and lifestyles -- giving customers more choices and automotive brands greater identity."
Mayberry noted that the addition of Yost to Katzkin's Advisory Board delivers expanded automotive relations and 'insider' acumen to the Katzkin team. "Jim brings deep strategic, financial and operational expertise as well as wealth of industry insight," continued Mayberry. "It is a huge benefit to get advice from such an experienced industry leader. We are excited to have Jim as a board advisor and are looking forward to working with him."
Yost's career at Ford Motor Company spanned 27 years before his retirement in 2001. During his tenure with Ford, Mr. Yost held executive roles including Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Chief Information Officer, Executive Director of Corporate Finance; General Auditor and Executive Director, Finance Systems and Process Improvement, and Director, Finance, Ford of Europe. Jim remained close to the industry following his retirement from Ford, first serving as EVP and CFO of Hayes Lemmerz, then joining Dana Holding Company as CFO and EVP and most recently serving as CFO for Fisker Automotive.
"With the high demand customers are placing on customization, Katzkin is well positioned to enable the automotive manufacturer to provide its consumers with more choice through vehicle interior personalization," said Yost.
Yost holds a Bachelor of Engineering Science degree in computer science from John Hopkins University and a Masters in Business Administration degree in finance from The University of Chicago, Booth School of Business.
About Katzkin Leather, Inc.
Founded in 1983, Katzkin Leather, Inc., of Montebello, California is the leading manufacturer of custom leather interiors. With a nationwide installer base featuring over 2,500 restyling locations, Katzkin has created nearly two million exciting vehicle interiors in the past 30 years. Katzkin maintains more than 3,000 interior patterns, 135 colors and materials, and more custom options than any other interior manufacturer. For more information, visit Katzkin online at www.katzkin.com.
Contact: Deb Pollack, for Katzkin Leather, Inc.
(t) 805-320-9248 (e) [email protected]
SOURCE Katzkin Leather, Inc.
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