Spartan Motors Expands Leadership Team, Names Tom Gorman as Chief Operating Officer

CHARLOTTE, Mich., June 24 -- Spartan Motors, Inc. today announced it has named automotive industry executive Tom Gorman to the newly created position of chief operating officer. Gorman will oversee Spartan's current four business units in addition to implementing strategic growth initiatives.

Spartan Motors, the leading manufacturer of custom chassis and emergency-rescue vehicles, reported Gorman is responsible for increasing productivity, improving overall business operations and helping Spartan strengthen its position in its market segments. In his new role, Gorman will also work closely with other members of the leadership team to execute the company's strategy, including lean operations implementation, global expansion, and new market entries through product development and strategic acquisitions.

Gorman brings 26 years of management, operations and manufacturing expertise to the position, including extensive experience in sales, engineering, lean manufacturing, product launches and mergers and acquisitions integration. Gorman was previously president of business development and engineering at Southfield, Mich.-based Fluid Routing Solutions.

"We are very pleased to welcome Tom to our senior management team with his proven track record of success in profitably managing multiple strategic business units and facilities, both domestically and internationally," said John Sztykiel, president and chief executive officer of Spartan Motors. "Tom brings tremendous experience and knowledge to our management team and much needed depth. He understands the process of delivering highly engineered niche products using lean manufacturing principles and built exactly to customer specifications, and this background will be invaluable as we strive to transform existing and new market niches from commercial to custom."

During his time at Fluid Routing Solutions, Gorman managed sales, operations and engineering across four divisions. Previously, he served as president and COO of North American operations for ZF Lemforder Corporation, where he was responsible for nine manufacturing and assembly plants. Gorman also spent over 17 years at automotive and systems components maker Dana Corporation, rising to business development director of the modules and systems division.

"I am excited to join Spartan Motors and lend both my operations and management experience and outside perspective to the leadership team," said Gorman. "The unique balance of Spartan's track record as a strong publicly traded company with its entrepreneurial spirit and tremendous opportunity for growth is inspiring, and I look forward to bringing best practices across the business units for the benefit of our customers, partners and other stakeholders."

Gorman earned a master of business administration degree from the University of Michigan and a bachelor's degree from the University of Detroit.