Schwartz Advisors LLC, a mergers and acquisitions advisory and management consulting firm focused on the automotive aftermarket, announced that Derek Kaufman has joined the organization as partner, and Paul Johnson has been appointed consulting advisor to Schwartz Advisors.
Kaufman is a veteran transportation industry executive who has worked in a variety of roles including engineering, sales and marketing and senior executive positions for companies including Penske, Daimler Benz and Freightliner. Kaufman is also a successful entrepreneur and advisor to private equity and venture capital firms.
Kaufman is an expert on the heavy-duty aftermarket and vehicle telematics. He has been responsible for product development, sales and marketing, and also worked on the development and distribution of telematics products for the trucking industry. Kaufman is currently CEO of Mission Motors, a San Francisco based designer of electric drive powertrains and telematics systems.
“We are very excited to have Derek join our team to lead our efforts in heavy duty and telematics” commented Rick Schwartz, Schwartz Advisors Managing Partner. “Derek is an acknowledged authority in the heavy duty segment and a sought after speaker and writer. As an executive Derek’s career reflects numerous achievements as a leader, and more recently Derek has been at the forefront of vehicle connectivity and the development of cutting edge electric drive vehicles.”
“I am excited to be associated with Schwartz Advisors and the high level of value they bring to their clients,” said Kaufman.
Johnson has been appointed to a new category called “consulting advisor” at Schwartz Advisors. As consulting advisor to the Schwartz Advisors team he will be working on select projects that leverage his extensive industrial background in manufacturing, finance, business development and distribution.
Most recently Johnson was Vice President, North American Aftermarket for Federal Mogul and before that he spent several years at General Motors in progressive domestic and international management roles including responsibility for AC Delco, it’s global independent aftermarket parts and services business in the U.S. and over 100 additional countries around the world. Johnson has served on several industry councils including the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association Board of Directors, the University of the Aftermarket Board of Trustees, and the Automotive Sales Council.
“Paul is the first consulting advisor to join the Schwartz Advisors organization,” said Rick Schwartz. We are fortunate to have an experience executive of his caliber on our team to advise our clients and business partners throughout the aftermarket.
“I am honored that Schwartz Advisors has asked for my help and support,” said Johnson. “ I have long believed that the roster of Schwartz Advisors reads like a “Who’s Who” of the automotive aftermarket and I look forward to being part of their network and developing new business opportunities for their clients in the vehicle aftermarket.”
Schwartz Advisors provides mergers & acquisition advisory services to middle market companies in the automotive and truck aftermarket. The Schwartz Advisors M&A advisory services encompass buy-side and sell-side advisory consultation, M&A strategy development and pre-acquisition planning. The management consulting services offered by Schwartz Advisors includes strategic planning, sales and marketing plan development, market research, and other consulting services. For more information visit www.schwartzadvisors.com.
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