PORTLAND, Ore. — Roger Nielsen has been named president and chief executive of Daimler Trucks North America and its affiliated companies, Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation.
Freightliner Custom Chassis is a major supplier of chassis to cutaway bus producers in the U.S., while Thomas Built is one of North America’s largest school bus manufacturers.
Nielsen took over his new position last month.
He succeeds Martin Daum, who last month became a member of the board of management of Daimler AG, corporate parent of Daimler Trucks North America and responsible for Daimler’s worldwide truck and bus business.
“Roger Nielsen brings a rock solid product, manufacturing and sales background to this position paired with a razor-sharp focus on technology, quality and customer service. He has an excellent track record as an influential leader in the industry,” Daum said.
“Having worked closely with Roger for so many years, I am certain that (Daimler Trucks North America), its people and all its brands are in the best hands.”
Nielsen had been chief operating officer of Daimler Trucks North America since 2001, responsible for the division’s manufacturing network and all levels of operations in quality, supplier management, logistics and custom application engineering.
He joined Daimler Trucks as an industrial engineer in 1986 and held various positions with the company.