Hino Australia has announced a series of senior management changes, which came into effect from 1 January 2021, as the brand aims to strengthen its Australian operations.
Following his role as President and COO over the last two years, Sam Suda has moved into the role of President and CEO, where he is now supported by two new Vice Presidents.
Suda has over 30 years of experience with Toyota in Australia, Europe and Japan, and more recently with Hino in the USA.
Bill Gillespie has moved into the new role of Vice President – Brand and Franchise Development, after success in the General Manager role of that division over the past six years at Hino following a 30 year career in strategy, network development, marketing and sales in the automotive industry.
Additionally, Greg Bleasel has been promoted to the new position of Vice President – Product Support, moving across from the General Manager role.
Bleasel is one of the founding members of Hino Motor Sales Australia, having started in March 1995. He has helped to grow the Parts and Service business over the last 25 years.
“It’s a time of great growth in Hino and these new appointments are designed to offer strong leadership across the brand and within our company as we move into 2021 and beyond,” said Suda.
“As Hino Australia transforms from a truck company to a customer solutions business, these changes will provide our customers with the support they require while ensuring we continue to develop the capacity and capabilities of our team and the network.
As part of the restructure, two new General Manager level positions have been created with Brian Wright promoted to General Manager – Sales and Supply Chain and Gus Belanszky to General Manager – Service and Customer Support.
Wright was previously the National Sales Manager for Hino, and his success in that role has included Hino achieving its best ever sales result in Australia in June 2020. He brings over 30 years of sales experience in both passenger cars and trucks to his new role.
Belanszky’s move follows his extensive experience over the last 14 years with Hino Australia, most recently as Service Support Manager.