Affinia Group Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Terry McCormack announced plans to step down from his position and from Affinia’s board of directors on March 31, 2014, after more than 40 years of leadership in the automotive aftermarket.
The company has named Affinia Global Filtration President Keith Wilson to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer effective April 1, 2014. McCormack will assume a role as special advisor to the Chairman of the Board, James McElya.
"Terry has dedicated his career to ensuring the automotive aftermarket industry has access to high-quality, competitive products and innovative customer solutions," said McElya. "Terry has been an outstanding leader within the industry and for Affinia, which he and his leadership team successfully transformed from a North American manufacturer into a true global leader in the automotive industry.
"We have been engaged in internal succession planning since last April and are continuing in our preparation to transition corporate leadership to Keith Wilson next spring," McElya said.
McCormack and Wilson will work together over the coming months to transition CEO responsibilities as the company makes plans to relocate its global headquarters. Affinia recently announced plans to move its corporate headquarters to Gastonia, N.C., where Affinia Global Filtration is based, in 2014.
McCormack began his career in the automotive aftermarket in 1973 with Dana Corporation. He joined Affinia Group Inc., as chief executive officer, when it was formed in 2004 from several of Dana's business groups.
"Terry's knowledge of the industry has been a great value to Affinia Group, and we are pleased that Terry will continue to share his insights and leadership with Affinia through his new advisory role," said McElya.
Wilson has served as president of Affinia's Global Filtration Group since 2008. He joined Dana Corporation in 1984 as a sales and marketing specialist with the company's Spicer Axle Division. Wilson served in various management positions within Dana's axle, driveshaft and gasket products businesses until being tapped in 2000 to lead the filtration group as vice president and division manager of WIX Filtration Product Division. In the fall of 2004, Wilson was appointed vice president and general manager for Affinia's Under Hood Group.
Under Wilson's guidance, Affinia Global Filtration has achieved exceptional growth in sales and earnings performance. The Filtration group has been recognized for excellence by the industry and by its customers, including winning an unprecedented nine Spirit of Napa Awards from NAPA Auto Parts for supplier service and performance.
"I'm proud to have worked with an outstanding leadership team and the thousands of passionate, dedicated Affinia people who protect, grow and enhance our brands, while providing world class customer service every day from their facilities and offices around the world," McCormack said.
"I have known Keith Wilson for nearly three decades, including the past 13 years where he has consistently grown our Filtration Group through business strategy, creative vision and an unwavering commitment to our customers," McCormack said. "Keith's leadership will ensure Affinia Group continues on its path of being an innovative world leader for quality products and services."
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