Nissan Americas Announces Senior Leadership Change

FRANKLIN, Tenn., May 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nissan Americas today announced the appointment of Bill Krueger as vice chairman, Nissan Americas, effective June 13.  In this newly formed role Krueger will be Nissan Americas' highest-ranking resident executive and will work closely with Colin Dodge, whose appointment as chairman, Management Committee-Americas, was the subject of a separate announcement.

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In his new role, Krueger will report to Dodge and be responsible for the day-to-day operations of Nissan Americas' business in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil and 37 other Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Krueger and Dodge's appointments follow the announcement earlier today that Carlos Tavares, currently chairman, Nissan Americas, will take on a new role as chief operating officer, Renault.

"Bill Krueger has demonstrated the business acumen and leadership qualities necessary to take on the added responsibilities required of a resident Vice Chairman," said Dodge.  "As I assume Chairman responsibilities for the Americas Bill will be instrumental in managing the day-to-day operational aspects of our business in the region."

Most recently Krueger, 46, was senior vice president, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Supply Chain Management and Total Customer Satisfaction for Nissan Americas.  In this role he oversaw all manufacturing and supply-chain management functions for Nissan's three plants in the United States (Smyrna and Decherd, Tenn.; and Canton, Miss.) and its two plants in Mexico (Cuernavaca and Aguascalientes).

Prior to joining Nissan, Krueger held various management positions at Toyota's manufacturing plants and served as general manager at the Georgetown, Ky., plant. In addition, Krueger held several management roles at General Motors Corporation's Janesville, Wis., assembly plant and at Harley Davidson's Utilimaster Corporation.

Krueger earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering and computer science from Marquette University and a master of business administration degree from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He also holds a master's degree in engineering management from the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University.

Krueger currently serves on the Committee of Visitors for the School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. He is a director of the Nashville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Krueger also serves on the board of directors of the American Red Cross Nashville Area Regional Chapter, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and the Anchor Hocking Company. He is also on the executive advisory council for the Automotive Women's Alliance Foundation.

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 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year 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 North America