Gentex Corp., the Zeeland, Michigan, based manufacturer of automotive automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and automotive electronic, among other products, has announced that the company’s senior vice president and corporate secretary, Mark Newton, is leaving the company for personal reasons and resigning his seat on the company’s board of directors, effective immediately.
“Mark has been on the leadership team for the company in recent years, and a part of the company’s growth and success during that time. We appreciate his valuable contributions and wish him success in the future,” said Gentex Chairman and CEO Fred Bauer.
Also effective immediately, Gentex’s Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Steve Downing has been promoted to senior vice president and will retain the role of CFO.
“We are excited about the opportunity that Steve’s promotion represents for the future of the company. I am confident in the depth and strength of the engineering and management team at Gentex and confident that we are well positioned to execute and develop the company’s product and growth strategy in the years ahead,” continued Bauer.
“Part of our transition plan is the promotion of Neil Boehm to vice president of engineering. Neil has been with the company since March of 2001, in increasing roles and most recently as senior director of engineering. Neil is a widely respected leader in the organization, and has been heavily involved in the development of all of the company’s products. He was also critical in the execution of the Company’s acquisition and integration of HomeLink in 2013,” said Bauer.
Boehm came to Gentex from Johnson Controls Inc., where he served in his last position as engineering manager. During his time there, he developed vast experience with international customers including an expatriate assignment in Japan. Boehm has an electrical engineering degree and a wide range of experience in electrical engineering, program management and product strategy that has not only helped the Company create and launch new products but has prepared him for his new leadership position.
The company also announced that Scott Ryan has been promoted to assistant general counsel and corporate secretary. Ryan has extensive knowledge and experience with the company in intellectual property and general legal matters since 2006. Ryan has supported the company in varying positions with increasing responsibility during his engagement as outside counsel and his employment. During this time, Ryan has been responsible for redefining the company’s intellectual property portfolio strategy, supporting the company during the HomeLink acquisition and supporting all legal and compliance matters for the company.
