Blue Bird Announces CEO and Chairman Transition Plan
Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD) has announced a leadership transition plan. Britton Smith, currently President, will become President & CEO on September 29, 2024, succeeding Phil Horlock. Doug Grimm, a director, has been elected as Chairman, replacing Kevin Penn effective immediately.
Smith, who joined Blue Bird in 2022, has led the company's EV business and growth strategy. Horlock, who served as CEO from 2011 to 2021 and was reappointed in May 2023, will remain on the Board to ensure a smooth transition. The company emphasized Smith's qualifications and successful execution of a rigorous transition plan.
Blue Bird, approaching its 100th year, is positioned as the leader in alternative-powered school buses. The leadership changes come at a time of strong momentum and growth for the company.
Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD) ha annunciato un piano di transizione della leadership. Britton Smith, attuale Presidente, diventerà Presidente e CEO il 29 settembre 2024, succedendo a Phil Horlock. Doug Grimm, un direttore, è stato eletto come Presidente, sostituendo Kevin Penn con effetto immediato.
Smith, che è entrato in Blue Bird nel 2022, ha guidato il business dei veicoli elettrici e la strategia di crescita dell'azienda. Horlock, che ha ricoperto il ruolo di CEO dal 2011 al 2021 ed è stato riassegnato a maggio 2023, rimarrà nel Consiglio per garantire una transizione fluida. L'azienda ha sottolineato le qualifiche di Smith e la riuscita esecuzione di un rigoroso piano di transizione.
Blue Bird, che si avvicina al suo centenario, si posiziona come leader nei pullman scolastici a energia alternativa. I cambiamenti nella leadership arrivano in un momento di forte slancio e crescita per l'azienda.
Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD) ha anunciado un plan de transición de liderazgo. Britton Smith, actualmente Presidente, se convertirá en Presidente y CEO el 29 de septiembre de 2024, sucediendo a Phil Horlock. Doug Grimm, un director, ha sido elegido como Presidente, reemplazando a Kevin Penn con efecto inmediato.
Smith, quien se unió a Blue Bird en 2022, ha liderado el negocio de vehículos eléctricos y la estrategia de crecimiento de la empresa. Horlock, quien fue CEO desde 2011 hasta 2021 y fue reappointado en mayo de 2023, permanecerá en la Junta para asegurar una transición suave. La empresa enfatizó las calificaciones de Smith y la ejecución exitosa de un riguroso plan de transición.
Blue Bird, que se acerca a su centenario, se posiciona como el líder en autobuses escolares de energía alternativa. Los cambios en la dirección llegan en un momento de fuerte impulso y crecimiento para la empresa.
블루 버드(Nasdaq: BLBD)가 리더십 전환 계획을 발표했습니다. 현재 사장인 Britton Smith가 2024년 9월 29일에 사장 겸 CEO로 취임하며, Phil Horlock의 뒤를 잇게 됩니다. Doug Grimm 이사가 즉시 효력이 발생하는 의장으로 선출되었습니다, Kevin Penn을 대체합니다.
Smith는 2022년에 블루 버드에 합류하여 회사의 전기차 사업과 성장 전략을 이끌어왔습니다. Horlock은 2011년부터 2021년까지 CEO를 역임했으며 2023년 5월에 재임명되었습니다. 이번 전환을 원활하게 진행하기 위해 이사회에 남게 됩니다. 회사는 Smith의 자격과 엄격한 전환 계획의 성공적인 실행을 강조했습니다.
블루 버드는 100주년을 앞두고 있으며, 대체 연료를 사용하는 스쿨버스의 선두주자로 자리잡고 있습니다. 리더십 변화는 회사의 강력한 모멘텀과 성장의 시점에서 이뤄졌습니다.
Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD) a annoncé un plan de transition de leadership. Britton Smith, actuellement Président, deviendra Président-directeur général le 29 septembre 2024, succédant à Phil Horlock. Doug Grimm, un directeur, a été élu Président, remplaçant Kevin Penn avec effet immédiat.
Smith, qui a rejoint Blue Bird en 2022, a dirigé le secteur des véhicules électriques et la stratégie de croissance de l'entreprise. Horlock, qui a été PDG de 2011 à 2021 et a été réappelé en mai 2023, restera au conseil pour garantir une transition en douceur. L'entreprise a souligné les qualifications de Smith et l'exécution réussie d'un plan de transition rigoureux.
Blue Bird, qui approche de son centenaire, se positionne comme le leader des autobus scolaires à énergie alternative. Les changements dans la direction surviennent à un moment de forte dynamique et de croissance pour l'entreprise.
Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD) hat einen Führungsübergangsplan angekündigt. Britton Smith, der derzeit Präsident ist, wird am 29. September 2024 Präsident und CEO und tritt die Nachfolge von Phil Horlock an. Doug Grimm, ein Direktor, wurde sofort als Vorsitzender gewählt und ersetzt Kevin Penn.
Smith, der 2022 zu Blue Bird kam, hat das EV-Geschäft und die Wachstumsstrategie des Unternehmens geleitet. Horlock, der von 2011 bis 2021 als CEO tätig war und im Mai 2023 wiederernannt wurde, wird im Vorstand verbleiben, um einen reibungslosen Übergang zu gewährleisten. Das Unternehmen betonte Smiths Qualifikationen und die erfolgreiche Umsetzung eines strengen Übergangsplans.
Blue Bird, das sich seinem 100-jährigen Bestehen nähert, positioniert sich als führendes Unternehmen für alternativ betriebene Schulbusse. Die Änderungen in der Führung erfolgen zu einem Zeitpunkt starken Schwungs und Wachstums für das Unternehmen.
- Britton Smith, experienced in leading Blue Bird's EV business, appointed as new CEO
- Smooth leadership transition plan in place with Phil Horlock remaining on the Board
- Blue Bird positioned as the leader in alternative-powered school buses
- Company experiencing strong momentum and growth
- None.
Britton Smith, President of Blue Bird, to Succeed Phil Horlock as CEO Doug Grimm, Director, to Succeed Kevin Penn as Chairman
Blue Bird appointed Britton Smith to President & CEO after he served as the company’s President since June 2023 (Photo: Business Wire)
Mr. Smith will succeed Phil Horlock, who served as the Company’s President & CEO from 2011 to 2021 and was reappointed to the position in May 2023. Mr. Horlock will continue to serve as a member of the Board, to ensure a smooth transition with Mr. Smith, who has also been elected to the Company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately.
Mr. Smith has held various executive roles since joining Blue Bird in 2022, including leading the Company’s highly-successful EV business and growth strategy. Since being appointed President in mid-2023, he has taken on increasing functional responsibilities across the company.
“Britton and I have worked very closely together over the past year and he is well qualified and prepared for the CEO position,” said Horlock. “After being named President a year ago, we developed a rigorous transition plan for Britton to take on increasing responsibility across the entire business and that has been fully executed with great success, as demonstrated by our recent results.
“It’s been a privilege to have led this incredible Company for almost 14 years,” continued Horlock. “I want to give thanks to our amazing team at Blue Bird and our dealers for their dedication and drive in making this nearly 100-year-old company the undisputed leader in alternative-powered school buses. I’d also like to recognize our Board of Directors, and especially our Chairman, Kevin Penn, for their unwavering support and friendship during my tenure. I am very excited for our future with Britton taking over as CEO at the start of our next fiscal year, and I look forward to supporting our continued growth under his leadership, from my seat on the Board.”
“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to lead Blue Bird as we build on the foundation established by Phil, our leadership team, dealer network, and our workforce,” said Smith. “Managing our transition to EV leadership has been an incredible experience and I look forward to even greater growth ahead for the entire Company. It’s an exciting time in Blue Bird’s history, and I’m energized by the opportunities ahead,” said Smith.
In addition to the CEO transition, Doug Grimm will succeed Kevin Penn as Chairman of the Board, who has served in that role since 2016. Mr. Penn will continue to serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
“It is an honor to step into the role of Chairman at such an exciting time at Blue Bird,” said Grimm. “Since joining the Board in 2017, I have seen the team execute a rigorous transformation by making smart investments and introducing new products that differentiate us from our competitors. As a result, Blue Bird finds itself in a position of leadership and strength today. I look forward to working with my fellow Directors to capitalize on our momentum and further expand the value we provide to our customers, shareholders, employees, and suppliers.”
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Phil for his significant contributions and for the stability he has provided as CEO over many years,” said Penn. “He has been instrumental in positioning the Company for long-term success, and in particular for firmly establishing Blue Bird as the alternative-power leader in school buses. Doug and Britton know Blue Bird and our industry exceptionally well, and are outstanding choices to lead the Company into the future by building on the terrific momentum we are seeing today.”
Mr. Smith holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with Highest Distinction from the United States Naval Academy.
Mr. Grimm is currently Chairman of the Board for Electrical Components International, and a Board member with Lumileds and Pangea.
Mr. Grimm holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics & Management from Hiram College (OH) and has a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of
About Blue Bird Corporation
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 20,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses in operation today. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird's complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue bird.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to expectations for future financial performance, business strategies or expectations for our business. Specifically, forward-looking statements include statements in this press release regarding earnings growth and Blue Bird’s future positioning and may include other statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or similar expressions
These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. The factors described above, as well as risk factors described in reports filed with the SEC by us (available at www.sec.gov), could cause our actual results to differ materially from estimates or expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements.
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Blue Bird Investor Contact
Mark Benfield
Investor Relations
M: +1.478.822.2315
Mark.Benfield@blue-bird.com
Source: Blue Bird Corporation
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