/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Toyota announced changes at the executive level of its manufacturing, supply chain and financial services operations with the objective of offering better service to its customers, promoting sustained growth and reinforcing its commitment to manufacturing in the same place where it sells.
Retirements
Ellen Farrell, group vice president and executive advisor of Toyota Financial Services (TFS), will retire in August. For more than 25 years, Farrell has provided legal advice that has promoted and protected the interests of Toyota. Prior to her current role, she served as TFS’s Chief Legal, Compliance and Administrative Officer, as well as Chief People Officer of TFS and Toyota Motor North America. Farrell was instrumental in creating TFS’ own-brand business line, which drove the growth of financial services. Her contributions extended far beyond the legal field through her positions as vice president of sustainable development and, later, director of respect for people.
Kerry Creech, TMNA Region 1 group vice president and president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), he will retire in July after a 36-year career at Toyota. During his tenure, Creech held numerous senior positions in manufacturing, quality and engineering, leading TMMK and overseeing significant operational growth and significant investment. His leadership helped drive new investments to support electrification and advanced manufacturing initiatives. Additionally, he made significant contributions to workforce and community development through initiatives such as the 4T Academy. In 1990, he began his career as a member of the powertrain production team at TMMK.
Promotions and new functions
Manufacturing
Stephen Brennansenior vice president of Region 1, Manufacturing Operations and Manufacturing Business Operations (MBO), will be assigned to Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) as head of production for the Advanced Technology Area. Brennan will oversee the Advanced Production Engineering Division, the Production Engineering Division, the Mobility Equipment Division, the Production Logistics and Information Engineering Division, and the Digital Manufacturing Transformation Department. Brennan will report to Takefumi Shiga, TMC’s chief operating officer, chief production officer and head of the Production Engineering group.
Kevin VoelkelSenior Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, will assume oversight of Region 1 Manufacturing – TMMK Vehicle and Powertrain – and will continue to report to Masahiro Seri, Senior Vice President and Chief Production Officer of Production Engineering and Manufacturing.
Susanne Kazunasgroup vice president and executive director of engineering, will be named group vice president of Manufacturing Business Operations (MBO) and Production Engineering (PE). Kazunas will continue to serve as Executive Director of Engineering and will also assume the role of Executive Director of Safety. She will maintain her subordination to Masahiro Seri.
David Fernandes, group vice president of Manufacturing Region 6 and senior vice president of Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTMUS), has been promoted to group vice president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) Region 1 and president of TMMK, and will report to Kevin Voelkel, senior vice president of Manufacturing Operations.
Erik Skaggspresident of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, has been named group vice president of Manufacturing Region 6 and senior vice president of Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. He will report to Kevin Voelkel, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Operations.
Aaron Foster, CEO of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi (TMMMS), has been promoted to president of TMMMS and will report to David Rosier, group vice president for Region 5 Manufacturing Operations and president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (TMMWV).
Carla Wright, vice president of manufacturing at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (TMMTX), has been named vice president of Manufacturing Business Operations (MBO) Special Projects and will report to Susann Kazunas, senior vice president of Production Engineering and Manufacturing Business Operations.
Juan Francisco García, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Guanajuato (TMMGT), has been named vice president of manufacturing for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (TMMTX) and will report to Frank Voss, group vice president for Region 4 Manufacturing Operations and president of TMMTX.
Eliel Colepresident of Toyota Autobody Company (TABC), has been promoted to president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Guanajuato (TMMGT) and will report to Frank Voss, group vice president for Region 4 Manufacturing Operations and president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas.
Zach Choate, general director of Production Engineering, has been assigned to the president of TABC and will be subordinate to Óscar Villarreal, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Baja California (TMMBC) and president of the board of directors of TABC.
Supply Chain
Kevin Austinvice president of the group responsible for Supply Chain, will assume responsibility for the Quality area, and Tom Trisdale, vice president of the group responsible for Quality, will report to him. Austin will continue to lead Supply Chain Strategy and Operations and will report to Chris Nielsen, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain, Chief Supply Chain Officer and Chief Quality Officer at TMNA.
Kensuke MoritaGroup Vice President for Vehicle Supply Chain, will assume responsibility for Strategy and Planning and Project Management (PPM), Demand and Supply Management (DSM) and Technology Transformation. Reporting to him will be Jamese Olayiwola, Vice President of Strategy and Project and Program Management (PPM), and Michael Schad, Vice President of DSM and Technology Transformation. Morita will continue to report to Kevin Austin, group vice president of Supply Chain.
All changes will take effect on July 13, 2026, unless another date is indicated.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been part of the cultural fabric of the U.S. for nearly 70 years and is committed to advancing next-generation sustainable mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, as well as our nearly 1,500 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs nearly 48,000 people in the United States, who have contributed to the design, engineering and assembly of more than 35 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In spring 2025, Toyota’s North Carolina plant will begin manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles. With more electric vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 32 electric options.
Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation is committed to creating innovative educational programs within and in collaboration with historically disadvantaged communities near the company’s U.S. operations.
For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
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