Newly Created Positions Prompt Toyota to Elevate Several Executives

Toyota Motor Sales USA elevated a pair of executives into newly created positions this week, starting a domino effect of immediate changes within its brand divisions.
Appointed to the newly created position of vice president of social media is Dave Nordstrom, who formerly was vice president of Lexus marketing. The OEM indicated Nordstrom will lead efforts to develop and coordinate social media strategies across divisions and North American affiliates that augment Toyota’s overall brand marketing strategy.
In his new role, the company said Nordstrom will report to Bill Fay, group vice president of marketing.
The automaker revealed Brian Smith will replace Nordstrom as vice president of Lexus marketing. Smith was formerly vice president of Lexus sales and dealer development and will continue to report to Mark Templin, group vice president and general manager of the Lexus division.
To take Smith’s place, the OEM promoted Tim Morrison to vice president of Lexus sales and dealer development. As a former corporate manager of marketing communications, the company said Morrison will now report to Templin.
Toyota noted Morrison’s replacement will be announced shortly.
To fill yet another newly created position, the company tapped Dave Zellers to be vice president of Toyota Customer Services (TCS), a new business integration division. Formerly vice president of customer retention, Toyota explained Zellers will be responsible for ensuring the successful integration and launch of key TCS initiatives and new products across multiple departments.
Zellers will report to Fletcher Davidson, group vice president and general manager of the customer services division.
In other moves, Toyota named Andrew Coetzee as vice president of Lexus customer service, replacing Al Smith who recently accepted a position at Toyota Financial Services.
Formerly vice president of Lexus brand development, the company said Coetzee will continue to oversee this area in addition to fulfilling his new responsibilities and will still report to Templin.
Meanwhile, the OEM went on to announce that Nihar Patel is joining Toyota as vice president of business strategy. The company explained Patel will report to Chris Hostetter, group vice president of strategic resources.
With more than 22 years of industry experience, the automaker highlighted Patel was most recently managing director of marketing operations, public affairs and supply chain at a Toyota affiliate in Saudi Arabia.
Finally, Toyota revealed Jacqueline Thomas, former corporate manager and chief audit executive, was promoted to vice president of corporate responsibility, replacing Barbara Arnold, who retired in July. Officials said Thomas will report to Chris Reynolds, group vice president and general counsel.