Executive Bios

Executives
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Mark Harano
President, Automotive Operations
American Suzuki Motor Corporation

Mark Harano is president of American Suzuki Motor Corporation, automotive operations, based at company headquarters in Brea, Calif. As president, he brings nearly two decades of internal experience to Suzuki Auto, beginning his automotive career at Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan in 1988. Harano oversees a team and business plan responsible for the introduction of a series of new vehicle models as well as upgrades to the dealer network through the Suzuki Square retail brand image program. The Suzuki Square program has helped ASMC maintain its steady U.S. sales growth since 2003.

Prior to being named U.S. president in 2007, Harano served as president of Suzuki Canada for three years. At the onset of his career with Suzuki, he managed its overseas automobile marketing in Southeast Asia and North America, as well as the company’s auto product planning department in Hamamatsu, Japan. From 1993 to 1998, Harano was assistant to the company’s vice president of automotive sales and marketing at ASMC’s Brea-based headquarters, before moving to Canada.

He holds a degree in foreign studies, from Kobe City University, Japan, and resides in Irvine, Calif. with his wife.

Media Contacts
Jeff Holland, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com
Andrew Nicolai, PainePR for American Suzuki – (949) 809-6786, anicolai@painepr.com
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Gary Akin
Vice President, Sales
American Suzuki Motor Corporation

Gary Akin is vice president of sales for the company’s automotive operations, and based at company headquarters in Brea, California. Akin, joined American Suzuki Auto in February 2007 and is responsible for overseeing Suzuki Auto’s sales efforts, including dealer relations, field operations, market support, sales planning and distribution.

Akin came to Suzuki Auto with more than 20 years experience in the automotive industry, serving in areas such as dealer development, brand management and sales operations. He began his career at Ford Motor Company in consumer affairs and later moved on to district service and parts manager. In 1984, Akin joined Volkswagen of America and held field and management positions in sales operations, distribution and dealer development. He continued to hone his automotive industry knowledge at Nissan, where in 1990 he helped launch the luxury brand Infiniti in a dealer development role. While with Nissan, he also held positions in sales operations and brand management. He returned to Volkswagen to contribute to the brand’s resurgence in the American market in 1996. Until early 2007, Akin had held a variety of positions at Volkswagen of America.

Akin earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan. He resides in Southern California and enjoys spending time with his family, motor sports and most outdoor activities.

Media Contacts
Jeff Holland, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com
Andrew Nicolai, PainePR for American Suzuki – (949) 809-6786, anicolai@painepr.com
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Gene Brown
Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, Automotive Operations
American Suzuki Motor Corporation

Gene Brown is vice president of marketing and public relations for the Automotive Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), based in Brea, Calif. Brown joined American Suzuki in March, 2006 and is responsible for ASMC’s efforts to build brand image and awareness with consumers and the media, continuing with another exciting new vehicle launch for the 2008 model year. He oversees all aspects of marketing, from advertising to promotions, media planning, press events, and auto shows along with ASMC's fleet and remarketing efforts.

Brown comes to ASMC with extensive experience in automotive marketing. Most recently, Brown served as truck marketing manager at Nissan North America Inc. where he helped launch the first import full-size pickup. Prior to joining Nissan he held a variety of brand management roles at Ford Motor Company, along with a stint in product planning. His positions ranged from overseeing Ford’s F-Series business in the U.S. to jobs working with Lincoln Mercury and Ford of Europe. Brown began his career as a field sales representative for American Honda Motor Company in Denver.

Brown earned a BA degree in economics from Williams College in Williamstown, MA and an MBA in marketing from the Graduate School of Business at University of Chicago. He resides in Southern California and enjoys sailing, racquetball, whitewater rafting and motorcycle/ATV riding.

Media Contacts
Jeff Holland, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com
Andrew Nicolai, PainePR for American Suzuki – (949) 809-6786, anicolai@painepr.com
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Cam Smith Arnold
Vice President of Customer Relations
American Suzuki Motor Corporation

Cam Smith Arnold is vice president of customer relations of the Automotive Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), based at company headquarters in Brea, Calif. In this position, she directs the Automotive Operations Customer Relations Division. In addition to developing and maintaining the customer relations infrastructure necessary to support ASMC’s burgeoning product and dealer expansion in the United States, Smith Arnold is charged with increasing the satisfaction and performance scores given to Suzuki by key industry marketing firms and publications and oversees the internal Automotive Call Center, which was recently expanded to increase the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the automaker’s rapidly expanding customer communications efforts.

Smith Arnold’s appointment comes as ASMC significantly bolsters its commitment to customer relations and satisfaction, key strategic components of its plan to reach sales of 125,000 vehicles by 2007. Consistent with its long-term goal of placing among the top three Japanese non-luxury brands in customer satisfaction, Suzuki is completely integrating its customer relations and satisfaction programs to encompass all customer “touch points” at the dealership, sales, service and corporate brand levels.

Prior to her current position, Smith Arnold was director of corporate brand marketing and communications, overseeing all American Suzuki automotive marketing efforts including advertising, public relations, consumer promotions, sponsorships and event management for the automotive, motorcycle/ATV, and marine product lines. She began her career at ASMC in 1990 as advertising manager for the Marine Division.

Smith Arnold earned her bachelor's degree from the University of California at Irvine. She resides in Irvine with her husband, son and daughter.

Media Contacts
Jeff Holland, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com
Andrew Nicolai, PainePR for American Suzuki – (949) 809-6786, anicolai@painepr.com
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Chuck Halper
Vice President of Service and Quality, Automotive Operations
American Suzuki Motor Corporation

Chuck Halper is the vice president of service and quality for the Automotive Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation and based at company headquarters in Brea, California. Halper leads Suzuki Auto’s efforts in improving vehicle quality and owner loyalty. He directs the service and product support functions including service development, vehicle engineering, service, parts and technical training, warranty and related after-sales matters.

Halper arrived at Suzuki Auto with more than three decades of automotive industry experience, focused mainly in the service and business development sectors. His experience prior to joining American Suzuki includes a beginning at Chrysler Corporation, out of college, as a financial analyst in manufacturing. In addition, Halper held management positions at Nissan Motor as national service planning and administration manager. There, he helped launch Nissan’s luxury brand Infiniti, as national business development manager, then as its national parts and service manager. Halper progressed to Hyundai Motor America, followed by a stint at Mitsubishi Motors North America, both as vice president of service.

Halper earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration (cum laude) from California State University, Fullerton. He was awarded Automotive News’ Industry ALL-STAR Award for Parts and Service in 2002. He resides in Yorba Linda, Calif. and is a musician and collector of old cars.

Media Contacts
Jeff Holland, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com
Andrew Nicolai, PainePR for American Suzuki – (949) 809-6786, anicolai@painepr.com
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Tom Lynch
Vice President, Market Representation
American Suzuki Motor Corporation

Tom Lynch is vice president of market representation, American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), automotive operations based at company headquarters in Brea, Calif. Lynch oversees the appointment and profitable growth of Suzuki dealers, including participation in the Suzuki Square retail facilities brand image program. Lynch is responsible for Suzuki's overall market representation strategy and new dealer support initiatives. He leads a key strategic effort aimed at increasing the breadth, depth and strength of Suzuki automotive dealers in the U.S. to match the increasing demand for Suzuki cars and SUVs.

Lynch, 48, has worked in the automotive industry since graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor degree in business administration in 1981. He began his career with Ford Motor Company's Lincoln-Mercury Division, working in numerous sales and marketing capacities. Lynch later spent more than 21 years at Nissan North America, Inc. where he held several senior-level management positions in sales and marketing for Nissan Division, Infiniti Division, Parts & Service Division and Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation, including director, consumer sales & marketing, and regional vice president for Nissan Division's northwest region.

Lynch lives in Irvine, Calif., with his wife and son.

Media Contacts
Jeff Holland, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com
Andrew Nicolai, PainePR for American Suzuki – (949) 809-6786, anicolai@painepr.com
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Ryosaku “Rick” Suzuki
Chairman
American Suzuki Motor Corporation

Ryosaku “Rick” Suzuki is chairman of American Suzuki Motor Corporation, based at company headquarters in Brea, California. Rick Suzuki oversees American Suzuki’s overall operation and provides strategic direction and support.

Previously, Rick Suzuki was president of ASMC’s Corporate Operations which included the Operations, Parts & Accessories and Customer Relations divisions, as well as the Information Technology, Legal and Government Relations departments. Rick served as president of ASMC before the 2004 corporate reorganization that decentralized Suzuki’s U.S. operations. Prior to joining ASMC, Rick served as vice president of CAMI Automotive Inc., a joint venture of Suzuki Motor Corporation and General Motors of Canada, from 1991 until 1999. Rick Suzuki also served as manager of the Suzuki Motor Corporation General Motors Affairs Division, from 1989 until 1991. He was in charge of Suzuki’s North American and Latin American automotive marketing operations from 1987 to 1989 at Suzuki Motor Corporation and served as president of Suzuki Canada from 1983 until 1986. He began his career with the Suzuki Motor Corporation in 1977.

Rick is a graduate of the University of Southern California, and he and his wife Michiko reside in Orange County, Calif. He has two daughters and a son who reside in Ontario, Canada.

Media Contacts
Jeff Holland, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com
Andrew Nicolai, PainePR for American Suzuki – (949) 809-6786, anicolai@painepr.com
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