Dana Incorporated has announced the appointment of R. Bruce McDonald, a member of the company’s Board of Directors, as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. This leadership change follows the retirement of James Kamsickas, who steps down as CEO after nine years in the role. To support a smooth transition, Kamsickas will serve as an advisor to the company until March 2025.
McDonald brings over three decades of experience in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. He has served on Dana’s Board of Directors since 2014, contributing as a member of the Audit Committee and chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Previously, he was the chairman and CEO of Adient plc., a global mobility supplier, and held senior positions at Johnson Controls, Inc., including executive vice president and vice chairman, as well as executive vice president and CFO. Earlier in his career, he worked as vice president for finance at TRW Automotive, gaining extensive expertise in mergers and acquisitions.
Reflecting on his tenure, Kamsickas expressed pride in Dana’s growth and technological advancements over the past decade, highlighting the company’s ability to serve various mobility markets. He also expressed confidence in the company’s future trajectory and its global team.
Keith Wandell, Dana’s Lead Independent Director, stated that the leadership transition aligns with the company’s strategy to navigate the evolving mobility landscape. He emphasized that McDonald’s public company leadership experience and expertise in mergers and acquisitions position him well to guide Dana during this period.
In his new role, McDonald noted Dana’s focus on technological innovation and operational improvements. He expressed confidence in the company’s potential to leverage opportunities in the electric vehicle transition and outlined his intention to work with the Board and management team to create value for shareholders.