Dayco Appoints New Leaders & Relocates

Engine systems company Dayco has filled several strategic leadership positions and relocated the company’s headquarters to Birmingham, Michigan.

Following the acquisition by Hidden Harbor Capital Partners, a primary focus for the company has been building a global leadership team. Joining Dayco are Michael Widgren as chief financial and administrative officer, R.J. Corning as chief human resources officer, Clifton Levack as chief supply officer, Audrey Harling as vice president and managing director of N.A. aftermarket and global strategy and planning, and Thomas Jauch, vice president and managing director of global belts OE.

They join Steve Keller, general counsel, and the rest of the aftermarket managing directors Ruggero Semola – EMEA, Marcelo Sanches – LATAM, and Arnold Mouw – APAC.

The new Executive Leadership Team (ELT) – enlisted between summer 2023 and April 2024 – will work collaboratively with Craig Frohock, CEO, to spearhead Dayco’s vision and ongoing transformation. They will be located in Birmingham, MI., where the company’s new corporate and N.A. headquarters has taken residence.

“By assembling a dynamic and talented executive team, along with providing a new workspace to collaborate in, we are setting Dayco up for continued success,” said Frohock. “This team brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Dayco and will enable us to continue meeting the needs of our customers through ongoing innovation and portfolio growth as well as operational, financial and supply chain best practices.”

Michael Widgren brings 30 years of experience providing financial leadership to global corporations. As the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, he’ll be responsible for ensuring continued profitability and growth, as well as identifying new channels and business opportunities.

R.J. Corning has over 20 years of experience across automotive, consumer goods and industrial industries, having served in global leadership positions in several HR practice areas. In his role as Chief HR Officer at Dayco, he’ll utilize his expertise to lead and execute an empowered employee experience that’s tied to Dayco’s overarching business strategy.

Clifton Levack joins Dayco from Mann+Hummel GmbH where he was Vice President, global logistics & aftermarket distribution. With senior level experience working in global manufacturing and supply chain roles throughout his career, Levack will implement leading-edge supply chain management practices that minimize risk and improve time to market.

Vice President and Managing Director of N.A. Aftermarket and Global Strategy and Planning, Audrey Harling has a career steeped in strategic planning and operations for automotive aftermarket, OE and commercial businesses. With two decades of experience, including key leadership roles at other aftermarket organizations, she’ll be key in orchestrating initiatives that improve business operations.

Thomas Jauch joins Dayco from Hella, where he most recently served as executive vice president and led the 2B Euro headlamps business. He brings a wealth of automotive OE market experience to Dayco along with a proven track record of implementing growth strategies and operational improvements, which is what he’ll be responsible for in his new role as Vice President and Managing Director of Global Belts OE.

To read the full bios on the strategic leadership team, click here.