COLUMBUS, Ohio — Belron US has named a 20-year veteran of its Safelite AutoGlass business, Thomas Feeney, as its new president and chief executive officer. He will lead the nation’s largest vehicle glass replacement and repair company, along with Safelite Solutions, the claims management operation and national network of glass fulfillment services, and Safelite Glass Corp., the manufacturing arm of the company.
Feeney, 56, a resident of Dublin, Ohio, succeeds Dan Wilson, 57, who is retiring. Feeney, who joined Safelite in 1988, served as executive vice president and chief client officer of Belron US after Belron acquired Safelite Group in 2007. Feeney assumes his new role July 1.
"Tom is an exceptional businessman, and he knows the company inside and out. I am confident that he is the person to take Safelite into its next great chapter of growth and prosperity," said Gary Lubner, CEO of Belron SA, parent company of Belron US. "Dan leaves a strong legacy with the company, most notably directing the integration of Belron and Safelite operations after the acquisition while posting record profits and sales of nearly $800 million last year."
Feeney was instrumental in helping establish Safelite as a national company with a nationally known brand. He was integral to the creation and growth of Safelite Solutions, ensuring its rise as the leader in the vehicle claim processing industry. Safelite Solutions now includes partnerships with more than 100 insurance and commercial fleet leasing companies, two national contact centers that handle more than 13 million calls per year and a database network of more than 50,000 independent glass shops.
Since joining Safelite, Feeney has held several positions within the organization, including senior vice president, retail operations and group senior vice president. In October 1991, he was promoted to senior vice president, client sales and support and then to executive vice president and chief client officer for Safelite Solutions in 2003. An expert in the automotive retail industry, Feeney previously served as vice president of franchise operations for Tenneco Automotive Retail, located in Illinois. He also served in sales and operations positions with Hertz and American International Rent-a-Car.
Wilson came to Safelite nine years ago at a time when the company was far less successful.
"Dan arrived with a specific mission — to turn around the company and sell it to a long-term owner like Belron," Lubner said. "As a result of Dan’s outstanding leadership and the introduction of innovative programs such as the Mobile Pro concept, SafeTech Academy, the implementation of the Objective Goal Strategies Measurement (OGSM) business management system, the Leadership Development Series (LDS), global vehicle glass procurement initiatives and our MRM wireless technology, Belron US is further strengthening its market position and poised to grow even more."
In his new position, Feeney will focus his attention on accelerating strategies established under Wilson’s leadership and position the company to continue its growth.
Feeney will be supported by a senior leadership team, which encompasses the areas of client sales and support, finance and information technology, field operations, legal, branding and marketing, supply chain and human resources.
The leadership transition was announced to employees at Safelite’s quarterly management meeting on Wednesday. Feeney will celebrate 20 years with the company on Friday.
For more information about Belron US, visit: http://www.belron.com .
