ELYRIA, Ohio — Bendix, a leader in active safety and brake system technologies, has appointed Rick Nork as its vice-president and chief financial officer (CFO). Eddie Wilkinson has been promoted to vice-president of quality and product safety from his previous position as operations director.

Nork, who held the CFO post on an interim basis for the past four months, will have overall strategic and functional leadership responsibility for the Bendix finance team, including financial planning and policy, accounting practices, long-range forecasting, investments and lending relationships, and preparation of financial reports.

As a finance and operations executive with extensive domestic and global experience, Nork comes to Bendix after 12 years with Robert Bosch Corporation/AlliedSignal Braking Systems Americas, where he held the position of CFO and executive vice-president of finance, controlling, and administration. He was also a member of the Robert Bosch Corporation Board of Directors and the boards executive committee. Nork holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from Penn State University in University Park, Pa.

Rick brings to Bendix more than 30 years of progressive and accomplished financial management experience in the automotive, aerospace, and power generation industries, said Joe McAleese, president and CEO of Bendix. Ricks practical, hands-on experience in global financial reporting, along with his investment management expertise continues our effort to build a strong and balanced leadership team, which is necessary for both our short- and long-term growth.

In his new role as vice-president of quality and product safety, Wilkinson will be charged with leading quality assurance and product safety performance, as well as a renewed company-wide focus on product reliability.

Prior to relocating to the Elyria headquarters, Wilkinson served over seven years in progressive plant management at the Bendix manufacturing campus in Acua, Mexico. In 2002 he was named Mexico country manager for the company. Under his leadership, the companys Mexican operations experienced outstanding business growth as well as ongoing expansion, specifically in OE manufacturing through improved, ongoing employee development and educational programming, increased community support activities and continued investment in the facility, the company says.

A certified Lean Manufacturing Expert, Wilkinson has earned several professional certifications in quality, leadership, and management. Wilkinson and his family are residents of Strongsville, Ohio. He holds a bachelors degree in business administration from Clayton State University in Atlanta, Ga. and a masters of business administration degree from DeSales University in Allentown, Pa.

Eddies leadership of the newly established Quality and Product Safety Group supports the Bendix commitment to quality and reliability, and it will strengthen our focus on safety performance, McAleese said. He has demonstrated a strong and consistent background in manufacturing and logistics. The Bendix legacy is built on innovation, dedication, and an exceptional commitment to our customers. We are fortunate to have cultivated an effective and experienced management team that will enable us to continue to move forward in our quest to develop and deliver the products that improve highway safety.