DEXTER AXLE COMPANY - Key Persons
Adam Dexter, President & CEO, joined Dexter in 1993 and assumed his current role in 2008. He is responsible for the overall vision, strategy, and execution of the company's growth and operational plans. Mr. Dexter has served in various management and executive roles, with a steady and progressive increase in responsibilities, which include Production Superintendent, Plant Manager, Director of Operations, and Divisional President. He led the 2008 and 2009 restructuring efforts that effectively mitigated the economic downturn, ensured continued profitability, and positioned the company for sustainable growth. Mr. Dexter has a Bachelor's Degree from DePauw University. Mr. Dexter is the grandson of Leonard Dexter who founded Dexter Axle Co. in 1960.
Job Titles:
- VP of Sales, Distribution, and Product Mgmt
Andy Jamison, VP of Sales, Distribution and Product Management, joined Dexter in 2000 and assumed his current role in 2016. He is responsible for the overall management of business partnerships with Dexter's distributor network and product management. Mr. Jamison has served in various roles which include Management Trainee, Account Manager, Production Superintendent, and Director of Sales (Eastern Region). Mr. Jamison holds a Bachelor's Degree in Quality and Decision Systems from Indiana State University.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Quality
Baber Inayat, Vice President of Quality, joined the Dexter Axle team in June 2021. He is responsible for the Dexter quality systems and processes that ensure our customer's quality and service expectations are met. Baber brings 20+ years of experience managing and developing quality systems, operations excellence, sales & marketing strategies, and research & development programs for global manufacturers such as Essex Furukawa, General Electric, and ESAB Welding & Cutting Products. He held successive executive roles at Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire, where he ultimately managed the North American business while leading the successful development of innovative powertrain electrification products. Baber is an electrical engineer and holds an M.S. in Engineering Management from Drexel University plus an Executive Education (C.P.D.) from The Wharton Business School.
Bryan Thursby, Chief Commercial Officer, joined Dexter in 2007 and has held increasing responsible positions in Sales and Marketing as well as successfully overseeing the commercial integration activities for Dexter's last 11 integration activities since 2012. Mr. Thursby started his career in financial planning with Scott/Doerschler/Messnener & Gauntlet before migrating into the industry and managing sales roles with Philips Product and Crane Composites. Bryan holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Western Michigan University and has completed advanced coursework in Strategic Management at the Chicago Booth School of Business.
Job Titles:
- President, Marine and Rockwell American Manufacturing
Chuck Vaughn, President, Marine and Rockwell American Manufacturing. He is responsible for Rockwell American Manufacturing and the Dexter Marine Business. Mr. Vaughn began his career at Dexter in 1995 in quality and has held increasing responsible senior positions in operating plant management, quality and technology/engineering, axle operations, acquisition integration and business unit president. Mr. Vaughn holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Pensacola Christian College and an MBA from University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO.
Darci Powers, VP of Axle Operations, joined Dexter in April 2023 in her current role. Ms. Powers is responsible for the Operations teams in Dexter's core Business units, ensuring the highest quality of customer service by exceeding the customer's expectations safely and efficiently. Ms. Powers has over 20 years of experience in manufacturing in automotive and industrial components companies, working to set strategy and drive executional excellence in the areas of operations, supply chain, engineering, and lean. In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the industry, she was honored with the STEP Ahead Award for women in manufacturing in 2014. Ms. Powers holds a B.S. in Industrial Management/Industrial Engineering from Purdue University. Prior to her current position, she served as the Vice President of Global Aftermarket Sales & Operations at Rotex Global.
Jeremiah Jacobson, Chief Financial Officer, joined Dexter in 2018 and assumed his current role in 2021. He is responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of Dexter. Mr. Jacobson has served in various financial management roles, which include Dexter Division Controller (Axle Business Unit)and Dexter Corporate Controller. Mr. Jacobson has his master's degree in Professional Accounting and bachelor's degree in Accounting from Michigan State University. He also holds an active Certified Public Accountant License (CPA).
Job Titles:
- Director of Corporate Development
Kegan Borland, Director of Corporate Development, joined Dexter in his current role in 2022. Mr. Borland is responsible for leading Dexter's inorganic growth strategy and executing M & A-related projects. Mr. Borland has nearly a decade of experience in transactions, strategy, and finance. Most recently, he worked in corporate development for Tenneco Inc., a large Tier 1 automotive supplier. Prior to that, Mr. Borland worked in investment banking at Doeren Mayhew Capital Advisors and the Forbes M&A Group, specializing in middle market sell-side acquisitions. Mr. Borland has an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business and a bachelor's degree from Kenyon College.
Job Titles:
- VP of Sales for the Axle Business Unit
Kevin Fort, VP of Sales for the Axle Business Unit, joined Dexter in 2014 and assumed his current role in 2021. He is responsible for the overall management of business partnerships with Dexter's OEM customer base. Mr. Fort has served in various roles which include National Accounts Manager and Director of Sales (Eastern Region). Mr. Fort holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance as well as J.D. in Law from the University of Illinois.
Lee Sneed, Chief Operating Officer, joined Dexter in his current role in 2022. Mr. Sneed is responsible for the company's operations strategy with a strong focus on driving safety excellence, superior customer service, automation and technology strategies, and value and supply chain optimization. He is an accomplished strategist and change agent with over twenty-five years of experience building, managing, acquiring, integrating, and reinventing multi-million-dollar, multi-product organizations. Using Six Sigma and Lean methodologies, he has driven multi-site operational excellence by developing a culture of innovation, ownership, accountability, continuous improvement, and sustainability. Mr. Sneed has served as a Board of Directors member for two European companies and a Board Advisor for a US-based operation. He is a combat veteran, having served in the United States Marine Corps for five years. Mr. Sneed received his Executive Master of Business Administration from the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, with a concentration on international business.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Procurement
Matt Warrelman, Vice President of Procurement, joined the Dexter team in his current role in June 2020. Mr. Warrelman is responsible for the overall Procurement function at Dexter and is focused on developing the highest quality supply base with a world class cost structure. Mr. Warrelman has 21 year of increasing leadership responsibility starting at John Deere to Navistar to Custom Truck One Source. While at Custom Truck One Source he lead the procurement and product development functions. Matt graduated with a BBA in Integrated Supply Management from Western Michigan University with a focus in Purchasing, Logistics, and Quality.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Engineering and Product
- VP of Engineering and Product Innovation
Rob Gelven, Vice President of Engineering and Product Innovation, joined the Dexter Team in January 2020 as VP of Quality. In March of 2021, Mr. Gelven assumed his current role and is responsible for the Quality processes and systems to ensure customer expectations are delivered across all Dexter operations and products. Mr. Gelven has 30+ years of experience in the automotive industry with a diverse background in engineering, manufacturing, and quality. He led global product development teams on many vehicle programs and launches. Mr. Gelven has multiple engineering degrees in Mechanical Engineering (BS/MS) from University of Missouri (Rolla & Columbia) and Masters in Engineering Management from Wayne State University.
Stacey Miller, Director of Marketing, joined Dexter in 2013 and assumed her current role in 2021. She is responsible for leading all of Dexter's Marketing initiatives while working closely with Dexter's Distribution marketing group. Mrs. Miller's original role was Dexter's Brand and Communications Manager. Mrs. Miller is an Executive Scholar of Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.