NOVI, Mich. — Cooper Standard has announced the appointment of Bill Pumphrey to president, North America, effective Aug. 16. He replaces Edward Hasler, who recently retired from the company.
In this role, Pumphrey will oversee the commercial and manufacturing activities of Cooper Standard’s North American operations. In addition to his responsibilities in North America, Pumphrey also will function as Cooper Standard’s senior executive responsible for the global coordination of the Ford business relationship. Based at the company’s headquarters in Novi, Mich., Pumphrey will report to Keith Stephenson, chief operating officer.
"I welcome Bill to the Cooper Standard team and look forward to working with him in the years ahead," Stephenson said. "With his successful track record, more than 25 years of automotive background and proven leadership skills, Bill has the knowledge and expertise to further grow and evolve our North American business."
Most recently, Pumphrey served as president, Americas for Tower Automotive in Livonia, Mich., where he successfully led the operations through the 2009 automotive industry downturn. From 2005 to 2008, he served as president of Tower’s North America operations, where he was responsible for the development and execution of the division’s restructuring plan.
From 1999 to 2004, Pumphrey held various positions at Lear Corp. in Southfield, Mich. Most recently, he served as president of the company’s Asia Pacific operations. Prior to this, he led numerous divisions within the company, including the DaimlerChrysler, Ford Europe and Electronics and Electrical divisions. Pumphrey joined Lear in 1999 as vice president, sales and marketing for the DaimlerChrysler division.
From 1991 to 1999, he held positions of increasing responsibility at Dearborn, Mich.-based UT Automotive (acquired by Lear in 1999). Prior to that, he worked for PRS Consulting International Ltd. in London, England, and started his career at General Motors Corp. in 1984.
Pumphrey earned an MBA from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.
