Toyota announces executive changes in North America, diversifies Global Leadership Team with new appointments

Toyota announced executive changes across its North American operations, effective as of April 1, 2015.

The appointments reflect Toyota's ongoing efforts to diversify its global leadership team and leverage talent from its biggest, most experienced market as it continues
to evolve as a global, customer-focused company. Toyota is also further strengthening regional integration in North America so it can respond more quickly and effectively to its customers' needs.

"Bringing together an experienced and diverse team of executives with fresh perspectives, unique regional insights and a global mindset will help us better serve customers around the world. Our new appointments also put in place a broader base of support for North America CEO Jim Lentz as he continues to build upon the strong momentum he has achieved with dealers and customers in this key market," said Akio Toyoda, President, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC).

Other changes
James (Jim) Lentz, Senior Managing Officer, TMC, Chief Executive Officer of Toyota's North America Region, and President and Chief Operating Officer of Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMA), adds to his title President, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing, North America, Inc. (TEMA).

Osamu 'Simon' Nagata, Managing Officer, TMC, and Chief Executive Officer and President of TEMA, is named Senior Managing Officer, TMC; Executive Vice-President, TMA; and Chief Administrative Officer of TMNA. In this new role, Nagata will be responsible for the 'One Toyota' initiative encompassing Toyota's transition to a single North American headquarters and related collaboration and integration efforts. To this end, Nagata will manage on a cross-affiliate basis all North American corporate staffs. He is based in Plano, Texas, reporting to Lentz.

Julie Hamp, Chief Communications Officer of Toyota's North America Region, will become Managing Officer and Chief Communications Officer, TMC, and the first woman named to these positions globally.  Based in Tokyo, Japan, Hamp will lead Toyota's global communications efforts, with responsibility for public affairs and overseas external affairs.  She will report to Shigeru Hayakawa, Senior Managing Officer, TMC.

Christopher (Chris) P. Reynolds, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, TMA, and Group Vice-President, Corporate Secretary, Chief Environmental Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS), is named Managing Officer and appointed to the newly created position of General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, TMC. Reynolds becomes the first African-American named to these positions globally. He will maintain offices in Torrance, California and Toyota City, Japan and, eventually, Plano, Texas once Toyota's new headquarters there is completed.  He will report to Shigeki Terashi, Senior Managing Officer, TMC, and Tatsuro Ueda, Managing Officer, TMC.

Osamu Ushio, currently Senior Vice-President for Manufacturing, TEMA, responsible for all vehicle assembly plants in North America, and corporate advisor, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK), is named Executive Vice-President of TEMA, with responsibility for all TEMA operations and North American manufacturing, including all assembly and unit plants, reporting to Lentz.

Seiya Nakao, President, Toyota Technical Center (TTC), and Executive Vice-President, TEMA, with responsibility for all North American engineering and R&D operations, will now report to Lentz.

Sandra Phillips, Vice-President and Deputy General Counsel, TMS, is named General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, TMNA. Phillips, the first African-American woman named to this position, will be responsible for legal operations, legal technology and coordinating the representation of Toyota's affiliates in North America.

Scott Vazin, Vice-President of Corporate and Regional Communications, TMA, is named Chief Communications Officer, TMNA, responsible for marketing, product and brand communications for the Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands; corporate reputation; stakeholder engagement; investor relations; sales, marketing and manufacturing communications; and corporate advertising.

Real (Ray) Tanguay, Chairman, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) and Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI), and President, Canadian Autoparts Toyota Inc. (CAPTIN), will retire after 24 years with Toyota, effective March 31, 2015. Tanguay will become an Executive Advisor for TMMC. Al Hossack, Vice-President, CAPTIN, will become President, CAPTIN.

"These are well thought out, carefully considered changes that will better position Toyota for sustainable, long-term growth both in North America and globally. Chris Reynolds and Julie Hamp have made incredible contributions to our North American operations, and we are fortunate to have them now supporting Toyota's growth and success at the global level. At the same time, we will all benefit from the leadership of Simon Nagata and others as we put in place our new executive team and leadership structure for One Toyota in North America," commented Lentz.

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