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Mazda Announces Senior Management Changes


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

- Eric Johnston Appointed Vice President Sales and Field Operations -

IRVINE, Calif., March 22 -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced that its senior vice president of Sales and Marketing, Brian Colianni, will return to Ford Motor Company, effective April 1, after three years with MNAO. Eric Johnston, formerly MNAO's Vice President of Customer Service and Parts Operations, has been named Vice President of Sales and Field Operations, reporting to Jim O'Sullivan, President and CEO of MNAO.

In his new position, Johnston is responsible for overseeing the U.S. sales analysis, fleet/marketing, port operations and regional office operations. Since joining Mazda 17 years ago, Johnston has held a number of positions, including Western Regional General Manager, Director of Marketing and Product Marketing Manager.

Also reporting directly to O'Sullivan is David Klan, Director of Marketing. Klan joined MNAO in August from its parent company, Mazda Motor Corporation in Hiroshima, Japan, where he was General Manager of Global Brand Marketing.

In addition to the changes in sales and marketing, Weldon Munsey has been appointed Manager, Dealer Affairs, replacing Steve Mears, who left the company. Munsey, who will also report to O'Sullivan, is a 20-year veteran of MNAO and was most recently the Western Region Assistant Sales Manager.

"While I am sorry to see Brian Colianni's tour of duty with Mazda end, I am pleased to have such a talented group of individuals as part of our management team," O'Sullivan said. "I am counting on their combined leadership and spirit to build upon our already substantial success in North America."

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.