Press Releases
09 September 2008
Don Jackson Named President of New Volkswagen Production Facility in Chattanooga
HERNDON, VA – Volkswagen Group of America announced today that it has named Don Jackson president of its Chattanooga production facility. Jackson will report directly to the CEO Frank Fischer. He also will serve as senior advisor for manufacturing to the company's board of directors. Jackson was most recently vice president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Texas, where his responsibilities included the manufacturing and quality departments. His position is effective October 1.
"Don's background in manufacturing and quality make him the ideal individual to join our leadership team in Chattanooga," said Frank Fischer, CEO of the Chattanooga production facility. "His experience in starting operations in Kentucky and Texas will prove invaluable to the start-up of our facility, and we welcome him to the Volkswagen family."
"With Frank and Don at the helm, our Chattanooga plant is well positioned for success," said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. "Their leadership will extend beyond the facility. As new residents in Chattanooga, they also will be active in the community."
Jackson's previous experience includes 16 years at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky operations, where he was hired as part of the start-up operation in the plant's quality department. In 2001, he was named vice president of the facility, after having served as general manager of the quality department. Before that, he had served in dual capacity between the Kentucky plant and the Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America Headquarters where he designed the supplier improvement program.
Prior to his career with Toyota, Jackson worked for the Hoover Group and Clark Equipment Fork Lift Manufacturing. He is a graduate of the Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology. He has served as a board member on The Associated Industries of Kentucky and the Lexington Community Foundation.
About Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, the world's fourth largest automaker and the largest carmaker in Europe. It houses the U.S. operations of a worldwide family of distinguished and exciting brands including Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Volkswagen, as well as VW Credit, Inc. Founded in 1955, the company's headquarters are in Herndon, Va. In July, the company announced it would build a production facility in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Volkswagen Group of America brings to the U.S. vehicles that marry the science of engineering and the art of styling, with the goal of offering attractive, safe, and environmentally sound automobiles that are competitive and set world standards in their respective classes.
The company has approximately 2,500 employees in the United States and sells its vehicles through an 800-strong dealer network. With increasing popularity for its brands in the U.S., the company has set the goal of reaching one million car sales in the country by 2018.
For more information, visit www.volkswagengroupamerica.com.
