Navistar streamlines executive lineup under new CEO

Lisboa names three to oversee truck maker’s major initiatives

Navistar named three senior leaders to combined roles on Aug. 11. Phil Christman (L) and Friedrich Baumann (R) were two. Robert Walsh (not pictured) was the third, rejoining Navistar from Sears Holdings Corp. (Photos: Navistar)

Navistar International Corp. (NYSE: NAV), is streamlining its executive lineup under new President and CEO Persio Lisboa.

The holding company of International Trucks and IC Buses named Friedrich Baumann as president of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales. He will oversee the full range of commercial processes for customers and dealers. Baumann, who joined Navistar from Daimler Trucks North America in 2018, previously was president of Aftersales/Alliance Management.

Baumann continues as liaison with Volkswagen AG’s TRATON Group. The holding company for Volkswagen AG’s truck brands works with NAvistar on purchasing and powertran programs. TRATON in January made an unsolicited $2.9 billion bid for the 83% of Navistar stock it does not already own.

Baumann succeeds Michael Cancelliere, who is retiring after 40 years at Navistar.

“It is crucial that both our dealer network as well as the brand are growing and moving in the same direction to serve our joint customers better than anybody else,” Baumann told FreightWaves in a December 2019 interview.

Returning to the fold

Robert Walsh rejoins Navistar from Sears Holdings Corp., where he was vice president and chief procurement officer after 15 years at Navistar. 

He will be vice president of Emerging Technologies, Strategy and Planning. That includes managing a partnership with TuSimple to bring a Level 4 autonomous truck to market by 2024. Walsh also will lead the development of Navistar’s newest business unit, NEXT eMobility Solutions as well as the Strategy and Planning group steering the Navistar 4.0 business strategy.

Walsh formerly was president of Navistar Defense, 70% of which Navistar sold to affiliates of Cerberus Capital Management in December 2018.

Phil Christman, president of Operations, adds Navistar’s global operations, including Brazil, Mexico and the Global Export business, to his portfolio. Christman continues to oversee procurement, product development, manufacturing and supply chain.

“I’m confident they are the right leaders to accelerate the pace of our progress toward our Navistar 4.0 business strategy,” said Lisboa, who succeeded Troy Clarke as CEO on July 1. 

Clarke was named CEO and President in April 2013. He continues in the new role of Executive Chairman.

Related articles:

Persio Lisboa will be Navistar’s President and CEO

Navistar to sell driverless semis in 2024

Navistar will build Industry 4.0-ready truck plant

Click for more FreightWaves articles by Alan Adler.

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Alan Adler

Alan Adler is an award-winning journalist who worked for The Associated Press and the Detroit Free Press. He also spent two decades in domestic and international media relations and executive communications with General Motors.