HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Business Council of Alabama member Toyota Motor North America announced that current Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant Vice President David Fernandes will become the engine plant’s new president effective Jan. 3.
Current Toyota Alabama President Jim Bolte has been named as a TMNA group vice president of manufacturing efficiency overseeing 15 North American manufacturing sites, the company said in a Monday statement.
Fernandes joined Toyota in 1998 as a group leader at the company’s West Virginia manufacturing facility. From there he rose through the ranks and was promoted to help lead production engineering at Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America followed by a general manager assignment at Toyota Kentucky.
In January 2016 Fernandes became the Toyota Alabama vice president.
“I am grateful and humbled for the opportunity to lead Toyota Alabama as president,” Fernandes said. “Since joining this team earlier this year I have seen first-hand the commitment our workforce makes to meet customer demands while focusing on quality and safety. I look forward to the coming year and transitioning into the new role.”
Bolte will be responsible for working with Toyota’s 15 North American manufacturing sites to improve overall efficiency and competitiveness. He joined the Alabama engine plant in 2003 as vice president and became the plant’s first American president in 2009. Under Bolte’s leadership, the plant expanded four times to become the only Toyota engine plant globally to build 4-cylinder, V6, and V8 engines under one roof.
“It has been my sincere honor and privilege to serve as president of Toyota Alabama,” Bolte said. “The continued growth and development of this plant is a direct result of our team members’ hard work and dedication. The ongoing support we’ve received from community partners and elected officials has also created an environment for our plant to thrive. It has been an amazing journey.”
Bolte also has the community. Current and past board activities supporting local organizations include the BCA, the University of Alabama Huntsville Foundation, National Children’s Advocacy Center, HudsonAlpha Foundation, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, Greenpower USA, National Science Foundation, The Committee of 100, Past Chair of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, and Alabama Robotics Technology Park.
Toyota Alabama celebrated its 15-year anniversary in 2016 including four expansions and investments totaling $864 million since groundbreaking. Production of the plant’s five millionth engine is scheduled for February 2017.