PORTLAND, Ore. — The Freightliner Group has named Joshua Palmer the new General Manager of Dealer Operations. In his new role, Palmer will be responsible for the strategic direction of the company’s North American distribution system including the dealer networks for Freightliner Trucks, Sterling Trucks, Western Star Trucks, Freightliner Custom Chassis, Thomas Built Buses and American LaFrance.

“Josh Palmer has demonstrated decisive leadership and a clear vision in a wide variety of sales, product and distribution matters,” said Mark Lampert, senior vice president of sales and marketing. “He is an excellent choice to lead the Freightliner Group’s efforts to further grow and strengthen the distribution networks of all its brands.”

Palmer had been serving as The Freightliner Group’s Associate General Counsel for sales and distribution matters since April 2002. Before that, he worked in the company’s legal department as Corporate Counsel. Prior to joining the company in September 1998, he was an attorney with Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt of Portland.

Palmer succeeds Reid Bigland, who was recently promoted to President of The Freightliner Group’s Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation business unit.