OPW Fueling Components has appointed Fernando Whitaker to the newly created position of managing director-Latin America. He joined OPW in October 2006 as managing director, OPW Brazil. He will be based at the company's Itatiba, Brazil facility. Earlier this year, he assumed management responsibilities for the joint operation of two Dover companies, OPW Fueling Components and OPW Fluid Transfer Group in Brazil. Luis Barriga, OPW's regional sales director for Latin America, will be responsible for sales of all OPW products made in the United States and Brazil.
Heil Trailer International (HTI) has promoted Bill Harris to corporate business development manager. Before his current assignment, he was working with Heil's Defense Products Group as the military business development manager. HTI has appointed Cory Gerlach as director-supply chain based in the Athens TN corporate offices. Gerlach most recently served as Mastercraft Boat Company's supply chain leader. HTI has named Robert Lane director-product management, Bryan Yielding director-product development, and Mike Byrum defense engineering specialist in the Athens manufacturing offices.
After nearly six decades in the business, Ottis Kyle is retiring from The Jack Olsta Co. Kyle started in the industry in 1950, when he took a position as Houston TX-based salesman with Fruehauf, rising to the level of branch manager before leaving the firm in 1986. The Jack Olsta Co hired Kyle in 1991, where he served as the company's Houston-area sales agent.
Hino Trucks announced the appointment of Robert “Bob” E McDowell as senior vice-president, sales and customer support. He succeeds Dominick “Nick” Vermet, who will return to a position with a stakeholder of Hino Trucks. McDowell was previously employed for 23 years by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America Inc, most recently as president and chief executive officer.