Nissan Americas Announces Leadership Changes for Customer Quality and Dealer Network Development Organization

FRANKLIN, Tenn., April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nissan today announced a number of changes to its Americas Customer Quality & Dealer Network Development (CQ & DND) leadership structure. These appointments are intended to further strengthen Nissan Americas' support of the company's 'Power 88' business plan. All changes are effective May 1, 2012.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080506/NISSANWORDMARKLOGO )

Leon Dorssers, currently managing director, Nissan Belgium and Luxembourg, is named vice president, CQ & DND for the Americas. He will be based in Franklin, Tenn., and will report to Jose Muñoz, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing – Latin America (LATAM) and CQ & DND for the Americas. He will also have a dotted line report to Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Nissan U.S. and Canada, for his North American responsibilities.  In this newly created role, Dorssers will support Muñoz in taking the lead to further enhance the company's activities around customer quality and dealer network development across the region. Since joining Nissan in 1992, Dorssers has held various positions across Europe. His Nissan career included assignments in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris, Madrid and, most recently, Antwerp. He also served as the Managing Director of a major Nissan dealership from 2005 to 2007 and the general manager of Network Development of Nissan Iberia, S.A. from 2007 to 2009. He was also responsible for developing key dealer network initiatives in the Spanish market. Dorssers holds a master's degree in Econometrics and Operations Research from the University of Tilburg in The Netherlands.

Jon Finkel, currently senior manager, Nissan Sales and Service Quality, is promoted to director, Infiniti CQ & DND. In his new role, Finkel will report directly to Dorssers and will maintain a dotted reporting relationship to Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Business Unit. Finkel joined Nissan in 1991 and, since then, has held a number of positions of increasing responsibilities. He holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Stockton College and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

In addition, the following directors will also be reporting to Leon in the newly formed CQ & DND organization:

Mario Polit, currently director, Training, will report to Brian Carolin and Dorssers and will continue to have responsibility for sales & marketing training. The Technical Publication group will now report to Polit.

Dave Mingle, currently senior director, Business Planning Strategy & Customer Management Office (CMO), will oversee Customer Loyalty reporting to Dorssers. He will maintain a dotted reporting relationship to John Spoon, vice president, Parts & Service. Mingle will continue to oversee Customer Relationship Management and will take the responsibility of the Nissan and Infiniti Customer Care organization as well.

Pat Doody, currently director, Market Representation, is named director, Nissan CQ & DND reporting to Dorssers. He will maintain a dotted line reporting relationship to Al Castignetti, vice president, Nissan Division. Doody will maintain oversight of market representation for Nissan and will also take responsibility of all CQ activities for the Nissan brand.

David Kershaw, currently director, Market Representation Strategy, is named director, Dealer Network Strategy-Americas reporting to Dorssers. Kershaw will now have the responsibility for market representation strategy across the region.

Tai Kawasaki, currently responsible for Market Representation and Aftersales for Nissan Brazil, will now focus all attention on CQ & DND for Nissan Brazil reporting to Dorssers. He will maintain a dotted reporting relationship to Christian Meunier, managing director, Nissan Brazil.

Ricardo Viana, currently director, After Sales, will now report directly to Meunier. Viana's move coincides with the formation of the CQ and DND organization that will better align NBA's activities with the Nissan Power 88 business priorities.  

Mayra Gonzalez, currently director, Market Development, is named director, CQ & DND, Nissan Mexico and Latin America reporting to Dorssers. She will maintain a dotted reporting relationship to Jose Luis Valls, managing director, Nissan Mexico and Ken Ramirez, managing director, NLAC.

Kevin Wagstaff, currently director, Market Representation, for Nissan Canada (NCI), is named director, DND, NCI reporting to Dorssers. He will maintain a dotted reporting relationship to Mike Colleran, regional vice president, NCI.

About Nissan Americas

In the Americas, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing.  Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America, the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com.

About Nissan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second largest automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 150,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4 million vehicles in 2010. With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award and 2011 World Car of the Year.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to Sustainable Mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/ .

SOURCE Nissan Americas