Dr. Reiner Beutel has been named Chief Executive Officer of SAF-Holland Group GmbH. His predecessor, Rudi Ludwig, announced his retiremen from day-to-day operations, with the expiration of his contract Feb. 28. Ludwig will remain on the Board of Directors of SAF-Holland to provide strategic direction and guidance for the company. Beutel, 49, assumed the position of CEO on Feb. 2, in order to ensure a smooth transition of management, the company announced.

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Well-known professional driver Cliff Allan passed away Feb. 14 of a major heart attack. Allan’s family says he was a familiar face at nearly every truck stop between Guelph, Ont. and Quebec. He drove for Fortress Trucking at the time of his passing, and previous to that he drove many years for MacKinnon Transport, his wife Dora told Truck News. Allan was 62 years old.

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Navistar Financial has named David Johanneson its new CEO. Johanneson has been in the trucking industry for 36 years, according to the company, most recently leading truck sales, marketing and distribution activities as vice-president of global sales, marketing and distribution with Navistar. In his new role, he will report to Terry Endsley, executive vice-president and CFO of Navistar International.

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Doug Lenz has been named director of product management for Thermo King, and will be responsible for providing product management leadership for the company’s trailer, truck and APU lines. Lenz will lead development activities to deliver cost-effective and innovative solutions for customers, and serve as a resource for market understanding and product needs, the company announced. •