MBUSA Announces Senior Management Appointments

MONTVALE, N.J., March 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) has announced key changes within its senior management team both at corporate headquarters and in its northeast region.  

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"These management changes will enable us to tap new talent, take advantage of fresh perspectives and provide new opportunities in our senior management team as we prepare for future growth and expansion over the next few years," said Ernst Lieb, president and CEO of MBUSA.

Andrew Gillman:  General Manager, Northeast Region

Effective immediately, Andrew Gillman becomes general manager for MBUSA's northeast region, replacing Joseph Kurp who passed away.  In his new position, Gillman will manage and direct regional staff as well as the sales and service field organization to support dealers in the region.  Gillman brings a wealth of experience to the role from his previous positions at MBUSA, including seven years in the field as controlling manager in the southern region and as a market manager in the northeast region.  Additionally, Gillman held management roles in national inventory, strategic volume planning and most recently as general manager of vehicle logistics and distribution.

Rory Anne Hepner:  General Manager, Vehicle Logistics and Distribution

Rory Anne Hepner will fill the position of general manager, vehicle logistics and distribution, replacing Gillman, effective immediately.  In this role, Hepner will manage retail vehicle distribution, import and logistics, distribution systems allocation and ordering, as well as the vehicle preparation centers in Baltimore, Los Angeles, and Brunswick Ga.  She started her career at MBUSA as corporate counsel and then joined MBUSA's field organization as a regional franchise development manager in San Francisco and as a market manager in the Los Angeles region.  

Additionally, Hepner held management positions in national network development and was most recently department manager of sales and field operations.

Willi Goossen:  General Manager, After Sales Business Development

Effective May 1, Willi Goossen will be promoted to the position of general manager, after sales business development replacing Christian Treiber who is returning to Stuttgart.  Goossen has been a member of the Daimler family since 1997 beginning his career as a financial analyst in Brazil and later at MBUSA.  He has also served as controller at MB Hellas in Greece, as well as director of finance at Daimler Manufacturing International in South Carolina.  Most recently, Goossen served as finance project manager at Mercedes-Benz Manhattan, MBUSA's flagship company-owned dealership which will open in a new location in June 2011.  

Tracey Matura:  General Manager, smart USA

Effective May 1, Tracey Matura will become the general manager for smart USA and will manage the distribution, sales and marketing activities for the brand in the U.S. reporting to Michael Slagter, VP sales.  Matura began her career at MBUSA as corporate counsel before being promoted to general counsel in 2000.  She has held her current role as general manager, strategic retail development since 2006 and has been instrumental in the development of the performance based margin system as well as the implementation of the Autohaus dealer initiative.

Niles Barlow:  General Manager, Strategic Retail Development

Effective May 1, Niles Barlow will take over Matura's vacated post as general manager, strategic retail development, overseeing the implementation and compliance of all policies, programs and activities to support MBUSA's retail direction and objectives.  He will also be responsible for managing facilities and corporate-owned properties.  Barlow has held numerous positions in the field, including market manager and regional operations manager in both the northeast and western regions.  He has held his most current post of general manager, pre-owned and fleet operations since 2007 and has been instrumental in the strategic volume growth of these key areas.  

About Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States.  MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse line-up in the luxury segment with 12 model lines ranging from the sporty C-Class to the flagship S-Class sedans and the SLS AMG supercar.  

MBUSA is also responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans in the US.  More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com and www.mbsprinterusa.com.

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SOURCE Mercedes-Benz USA