Several executives at Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Connected North America will take on expanded roles to bolster the company’s electrification and software development leadership, the automaker announced last month.
The leadership moves at TMNA are part of a strategy to drive growth and “advance its commitment to vehicle electrification, build where it sells, and prepare for the future of mobility,” the company said in a statement.
Changes at TMNA, which were effective Jan. 1, include:
- Susan Elkington was named executive technical advisor, Toyota Global and North American Sustainability. She most recently was SVP of electric vehicle supply.
- Stephen Brennan, group vice president and executive engineering officer, now oversees EV supply advanced planning, focusing on transforming Toyota’s North America battery and electric vehicle supply chain. He will also continue managing production engineering.
- Kevin Voelkel, SVP, vehicle plants, who manages vehicle manufacturing, now oversees Toyota’s battery manufacturing plant in North Carolina.
At Toyota Connected North America, leadership moves were meant to strengthen the company’s position in software development, the company said. The business unit collaborates with TMNA and Toyota’s other global operations.
Leadership changes at Toyota Connected North America, which were effective in December, include:
- Brian Kursar was named group VP and head of AI at TMNA. He also was named to a leadership role at the Toyota Research Institute to support the automaker’s global AI accelerator program. Kursar transitioned from his role as CTO at TCNA at the end of December.
- Dave Tsai, VP of engineering at TCNA and VP of enterprise AI at TMNA, succeeded Kursar as CTO. He was also appointed to TCNA’s board of directors.
- James George, COO, was appointed EVP and deputy CEO at TCNA. George is continuing his role on TCNA’s board and as TMNA’s general manager of EV charging solutions.
- Mark McClung, deputy COO, was appointed COO at TCNA. He also now leads business and people operations.
