LOS ANGELES and PARIS -- OpenGate Capital, a global private equity firm and parent company of Ride Control (Gabriel), has announced the appointment of Lisa Bahash to CEO at Ride Control LLC. Bahash assumed the CEO role in addition to her position as president.

“Lisa was instrumental in completing the transformation of Gabriel after OpenGate acquired it 2009,” said Jay Yook, partner, OpenGate Capital. “Through her leadership, the goals for growth that OpenGate foresaw in Gabriel are being fulfilled.”

Bahash has held the position of president of Ride Control LLC since June 2009, and prior to that was president of Gabriel North America. She is responsible for leading the company’s accelerated plan for profitable growth through customer-focused initiatives; championing strategic and operational management; and ensuring optimum product quality and performance from its manufacturing operations.

In an all-employee meeting held recently, Ride Control LLC commemorated the two-year relationship with OpenGate Capital that affords it the ability to operate as an independent company. Celebrating the entrepreneurial drive upon which the company was founded and now operates again, Bahash said, "Our founder, Claude Foster, would never have anticipated how far Gabriel has come since he invented the first automotive shock absorber more than a century ago. It is that same spirit that makes us the hardworking and successful company we are today.”

Bahash was named one of 10 “Newsmakers of the Year” for 2010 by aftermarketNews. She holds a master of engineering management degree from Wayne State University and a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan.

Additionally, OpenGate Capital announced the appointment of James Neelley to CFO of Ride Control.

“During the past two years, Jim has been key to securing the company’s financial position to set the path toward economic sustainability and profit while instilling confidence among all stakeholders,” said Yook. “His experience and loyalty have been invaluable during the transformation of the company back into the leading brand of its rich legacy.”

Neelley has held the position of vice president, finance since January, supervising the management of all financial transactions related to Ride Control LLC aftermarket and original equipment (OE) businesses for the U.S., Mexico and Canada, as well as forecasting and budgeting results. He was previously director, finance where he guided the company through an acquisition and restructuring.

Neelley brings more than 25 years experience to his new role, having joined Gabriel in 1982. He holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting and business management from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn.

Neelley is based in the company’s Brentwood, Tenn., office.