Nissan announces leadership changes in North America

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan today announced leadership changes within its North American manufacturing operations.

Randy Knight, currently vice president, Manufacturing, Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant, will retire on April 1, 2017 after 33 years of service to Nissan. Under his leadership, the Smyrna Manufacturing operation achieved significant quality and performance improvements, and became the highest-volume vehicle production facility in North America. 

"Randy has been an effective and well-respected leader in Smyrna since assuming his current post in 2013," said José Muñoz, chief performance officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and chairman, Nissan North America. "I would like to thank Randy for his dedicated service and leadership and wish him well in the future."

Knight joined Nissan in 1983 as a production technician in the Smyrna Paint Plant. He was promoted to area manager in Material Handling in 1990 and later was promoted to management positions in several areas of the plant. Knight was named director and plant manager of the Stamping Plant in 2002, director and plant manager of the Trim and Chassis Plant in 2004, and director of Material Handling and Manufacturing Support in 2013.

On January 1, 2017, Heath Holtz, currently deputy managing director, Manufacturing, Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant, is named vice president, Manufacturing, Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant, replacing Randy Knight. Heath will have responsibility for the operation of Nissan's Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant including safety, quality, operations, productivity and environmental compliance. He will report to John Martin, senior vice president, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management & Purchasing, Nissan North America.

Holtz joined Nissan North America in March 2006 as manager of vehicle operations. Between then and July 2012, he held a number of positions including department manager, Material Handling, and director, North America Logistics. In July 2012, he moved to Japan as deputy general manager, and then to England to take up the role of vice president, Supply Chain Management, Nissan Europe, a year later.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, INFINITI and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2015, the company sold more than 5.4 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 12.2 trillion yen. Nissan engineers, manufactures and markets the world's best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan's global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan manages operations in six regions: ASEAN & Oceania; Africa, Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America and North America. Nissan has been partnered with French manufacturer Renault since 1999 and Mitsubishi Motors since 2016 under the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.  You can also follow @NissanMotor on Twitter.

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Contact
Parul Bajaj
Nissan North America
(615) 917 – 8172
Parul.Bajaj@nissan-usa.com