Features
9 déc 19

Year-in-Review 2019: Executive appointments in Latin America

New executive appointments are key to bringing fresh ideas to companies, and this certainly includes those within the automobile and mobility industries in Latin America, an ever-changing region constantly on the look-out for creative minds to push fundamental developments.

There has been a slew of appointments throughout the year and here are a few we’d like to mention.   

In March, international corporate mobility solutions company ALD Automotive in Brazil appointed Leandro Iza Rodrigues as its human resources director for the Latam region and Daniela Gamble was hired as the new commercial director in Mexico for international car-as-a-service company LeasePlan. 

In April, Carlos Zarlenga assumed the position of General Motors South America president, leasing operations in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. 

General Motors South America president Carlos Zarlenga (source: General Motors)

A few months later, in August, Mexican transportation equipment leasing and vehicle fleet management company TIP México appointed Mauricio Medina as its new CEO. Former CEO Juan Pablo Loperena assumed the position of CEO of Engenium Capital, the local financial group which acquired TIP Mexico in mid-2019.


September accounted for at least three new appointments in the region. For one, Thomas Owsianski became Volkswagen’s new president in Argentina, taking over for Thomas Zahn who moved on to be Head of International Sales.

Volkswagen Argentina president Thomas Owsianski (source: Volkswagen)

 

Other appointments included Francisco Garza which started his position as GM president and managing director of Mexico as well as Marie-Stéphanie Le Ber who became CEO for the Peru unit of ALD Automotive. 


In November, Ford Argentina president Gabriel López assumed the presidency of the country’s automakers association Adefa. Mr. Lopez, who has been a veteran at Ford for 37 years, took over for Renault Argentina president Luiz Pelaez Gamboa.

Meanwhile, Maximiliano Fernandes assumed the position of Sales and Marketing Director for French multinational Arval in Brazil. He was formerly Chief Commercial Officer for Brazil's Movida Fleet Management.

Also that month, Hyundai appointed Claudia Marquez as CEO in Mexico. Ms. Marques has held global automotive positions over the last 24 years for companies such as Nissan, Infinity, and the BMW Group, most recently Vice President of Sales and Vehicle Operations for the Nissan Motor Corporation.


Hyundai Mexico CEO Claudia Marquez


Last but not least, in early December, FCA appointed Breno Kamei to head the groups RAM, Dodge, and Chrysler brands in Latin America.

With just two weeks to go before the start of the holiday season, most of the upcoming hires are not likely to occur until after the turn of the year.

To wrap up, Fleet Latam would like to say congratulations to all these new appointment holders and, for our readers, stay tuned as we will certainly be following the new developments in 2020.

For more on key 2019 developments, including mergers, acquisitions, company announcements, and executive appointments, look out for the latest Fleet LatAm magazine (Directory 2020) to be launched mid-December.

Authored by: Daniel Bland