Daimler Trucks North America Appoints Kelley Platt, President of Western Star, Chief Diversity Officer and Operating Committee Member

Contact: david.giroux@daimler.com

PORTLAND, Ore – July 23, 2015 – Today, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) announced that Kelley Platt, President of Western Star Trucks has been assigned the additional responsibility to serve as DTNA’s Chief Diversity Officer and member of the company’s Operating Committee effective August 1, 2015.

The primary purpose of the Chief Diversity Officer’s position is to ensure alignment of diversity and inclusion strategies with organizational goals.  DTNA employees come from all walks of life, bringing a wealth of skills and experience to their roles.   This year diversity and inclusion has flourished through the advocacy and support of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) which now includes well over 1,000 individuals.  

“Great companies are great places to work for all employees and DTNA embodies the concept that diverse ideas are the basis of our future success,” said Martin Daum, President and CEO, Daimler Trucks North America. “Kelley has served DTNA in numerous senior leadership roles since 1989; her commitment to employees and to diversity and inclusion are cornerstones of the company’s future.”

“Diversity is an integral component of every successful company,” said Kelley Platt.  “Further ingraining diversity into our culture will enable DTNA to attract talented individuals who bring a wide range of perspectives to our company’s culture,” explained Platt. “I have been an employee of DTNA for over 25 years, and it is a great honor to be invited to join the Operating Committee at such an exciting time in our company’s history.”

In addition to Platt’s role as Chief Diversity Officer, her role as President of Western Star Trucks has expanded to include executive oversight of the Western Star Truck Manufacturing Plant in Portland, Oregon.  Platt’s perspective and insights on managing teams and her leadership on diversity and inclusion topics will be significant assets in this expanded role.

Daimler Trucks North America is committed to diversity and inclusion and prohibits discrimination in the recruitment, selection, training, utilization, upgrading or termination of any individual, or in any other personnel related activities, based on characteristics protected by law such as race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

About Daimler Trucks North America

Daimler Trucks North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. Daimler Trucks North America is a Daimler company, the world's leading commercial vehicle manufacturer.

Daimler Trucks North America Appoints Kelley Platt, President of Western Star, Chief Diversity Officer and Operating Committee Member