Dana Incorporated has announced the appointment of R. Bruce McDonald, a member of Dana's Board of Directors, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. This transition follows the retirement of James Kamsickas, who steps down as CEO after nine years in the role. To ensure a smooth transition, Kamsickas will remain an advisor to the company through March 2025.
R. Bruce McDonald brings with him over 30 years of leadership experience in the automotive and manufacturing industries. A member of Dana's Board since 2014, he has served on the Audit Committee and chaired the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. McDonald is the retired chairman and CEO of Adient plc, a global mobility supplier, and previously held several key leadership roles at Johnson Controls, Inc., including Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman, as well as Executive Vice President and CFO. Earlier in his career, he served as Vice President for Finance at TRW Automotive, earning a strong reputation as an accomplished leader with extensive expertise in mergers and acquisitions.
Reflecting on his tenure, Kamsickas said: "I am proud of the work the Dana team has done over the past decade to grow revenues and successfully enhance the technology to serve all mobility markets, regardless of propulsion type. It has been an honour to lead this talented global team, and I am confident the company is well positioned for the future."
Keith Wandell, Dana's Lead Independent Director, described the leadership change as part of the company's strategy to navigate the rapidly evolving mobility industry. He noted that McDonald's extensive public company leadership experience, combined with his expertise in mergers and acquisitions, makes him exceptionally qualified to guide Dana during this critical period while the Board conducts a comprehensive search for a permanent CEO.
As he steps into his new role, McDonald emphasises his dedication to driving value for the company and its shareholders. "Dana stands out for its leadership in technology innovation and its track record of continuous improvement," said McDonald. "My conviction in our businesses, our team, and the opportunities presented by the EV transition remains strong. I am honoured to assume the role of CEO at such an important time for Dana and look forward to working closely with the board and management team to deliver on our goals and create value for our shareholders."