Jim Pines, executive vice president of sales and operations, has informed Great Dane Trailers that he will be resigning from his role at the end of 2011 to focus on personal and family concerns.
Dean Engelage, executive vice president-strategic planning, will assume responsibility for the sales organization and Rick Mullininx, executive vice president-engineering, will oversee the warranty and quality departments up Pine’s departure. Also, Sam Gupta has been promoted to executive vice president-manufacturing.
“I was saddened by Jim’s decision to leave Great Dane,” said Bill Crown, president & CEO of Great Dane Trailers. “Our families have been partners for twenty-five years, and as I told Jim, Great Dane will not be the same company in his absence. That said, all of us at Great Dane respect and support the tough decisions Jim needs to make at this difficult time.”
Just over one month ago, Jim Pines’ father and company founder Phillip Pines was killed in a plane crash near Racine, WI. Phillip Pines retired at the end of 2010.
“This company has been a huge part of my life for 25 years, and it will be difficult to step down,” said Jim Pines, “but I now have other priorities that require my full attention. I will always feel deeply connected to the employees, the customers, and the business of Great Dane Trailers. I have enjoyed being a part of building this organization and I am confident that I leave it in good hands.”
