Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) announced that David Carson, currently senior vice president, vocational sales and marketing, has been appointed to the expanded role of senior vice president, sales and marketing, DTNA, consolidating responsibility for all sales and marketing of vocational and on-highway segments. Carson adds responsibilities formerly held by Richard Howard, who has been appointed to the management board of Daimler Truck Financial Services responsible for North America and Asia. Drew Backeberg, currently vice president, dealer sales for the on-highway segment, has been promoted to the role of senior vice president of aftermarket, DTNA, and will join the company’s operating committee as a result.
Carson was appointed to his current role leading Western Star trucks in 2017, which expanded in scope in 2019 to include leadership of the entire vocational segment for DTNA. Prior to this, he led Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp (FCCC), where he oversaw engineering, operations and sales & marketing. He also previously served as the general manager of human resources at DTNA. Carson earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Richard Howard will take on the role of president of the newly established Daimler Truck Financial Services USA LLC, an entity allocated to Daimler Truck Financial Services in Germany. He will also be appointed to the management board of Daimler Truck Financial Services, responsible for both North America and Asia. Howard will report to Stephan Unger, CEO of Daimler Truck Financial Services, and continue to be based in Portland where he will remain a member of DTNA’s operating committee.
Howard’s move aligns to the planned spin-off of Daimler Truck. Daimler Truck will be supported by the dedicated captive financial entity, intended to streamline sales processes with tailor-made financing and leasing solutions to increase customer loyalty and retention.
Drew Backeberg, currently vice president, on-highway sales, DTNA has been selected as the company’s senior vice president of aftermarket, replacing Stefan Kürschner, whose transition to CFO at DTNA was previously announced. Backeberg has also been appointed to DTNA’s Operating Committee as part of his promotion.
Backeberg is a 20-year veteran of DTNA who has held increasing roles of responsibility throughout his tenure. He started his career at DTNA as a marketing analyst for Daimler Trucks Remarketing (DTR), later managing a SelecTrucks branch, before eventually leading the entire DTR organization. While at DTR, Backeberg was responsible for guiding the sales channel for second-life vehicles, growing the SelecTrucks network, and safe-guarding and supporting pricing discipline for new trucks.
All organizational moves are effective June 1, 2021.
