The New Chrysler on August 28 announced several key appointments within its manufacturing organization.
Cynthia C. (Cindy) Sidoti is appointed plant manager of the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant. In this function, Sidoti is responsible for directing all activities at the plant, which produces the Chrysler Sebring sedan, Sebring convertible and Dodge Avenger. Sidoti will report to Fred Goedtel, vice president of Small/Premium/Family Vehicle Assembly. Her most recent position was plant manager of the Toledo Supplier Park Complex. Sidoti replaces Robert L. Bowers, who has announced his intention to retire from this position.
Robert M. Seabolt is appointed plant manager of the Toledo Supplier Park Complex. In this function, Seabolt is responsible for directing all activities at the plant, which produces the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-door. Seabolt will report to Byron Green, vice president of Truck and Activity Vehicle Assembly. He succeeds Cynthia Sidoti. Previously, Seabolt was director of Recovery & Transformation Plan and Material Cost Management.
Melissa M. Holobach is appointed plant manager of Pilot Operations, Sterling Heights Vehicle Test Center (SHVTC) and Conner Avenue Assembly Plant. In this function, Holobach is responsible for directing all activities at the manufacturing sites, including production of the Dodge Viper and future pilot vehicles. Holobach will report to Joe Chao, vice president of Advance Manufacturing Engineering. She succeeds Sandra L. Bouckley, who will join Advance Manufacturing Engineering as director of the Front Wheel Drive Product Team. Her most recent position was director of business strategy.
Frank A. Faga is appointed director of the Rear Wheel Drive Product Team, Advance Manufacturing Engineering. Faga will report to Chao. He succeeds Rodney Peters, who has announced his intention to retire. Faga's most recent position was director of Compact Car Manufacturing.
The appointments will be effective September 1.
"These appointments will allow us to further focus on the development of our executive manufacturing team and support our goals for The New Chrysler," said Frank Ewasyshyn, executive vice president for manufacturing.
Chrysler also announced the appointment of Andreas Schell to director of Recovery and Transformation Plan and Business Strategy. This newly created position represents the restructuring of several strategic functions under a single point of responsibility. The consolidated positions include: Recovery and Transformation Plan (RTP), Business Strategy, Material Cost Management and Executive Planner, Office of the Chairman.
In his new role, Schell will report dually to chairman and chief executive officer Bob Nardelli and vice chairman and president Tom LaSorda.
"We are excited about the newly created organization," said Nardelli and LaSorda in a statement to Chrysler employees. "We ask that everyone give their full support to Andreas and his team as they pursue and implement business strategies critical to the success of The New Chrysler."
Schell joined Chrysler in 2002 and most recently was senior manager for the Office of the Chairman. Prior to joining Chrysler, Schell had been with Daimler since 1996. He holds a masters degree in mechanical engineering from University Clausthal-Zellerfeld and an MBA from