American Honda Motor’s Rick Schostek will retire as executive vice president of corporate services effective Nov. 1. He will be succeeded by Bob Nelson, currently executive vice president of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America.

Rick Schostek

Bob Nelson

“Bob and I joined the company in 1987, a transformative time in Honda’s history in Ohio and North America, as the company was expanding production, R&D and local parts sourcing in this region,” Schostek said. “We have worked closely together on many important initiatives since then and I have the utmost confidence in Bob and believe he is the right leader as we enter another transformative time for Honda and our entire industry.”

Schostek began his career at Honda in 1987 in the Legal Division of the former Honda of America Mfg. in Ohio. He went on to serve in key leadership positions within several of Honda’s North American operations, including senior executive assignments at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (now Alabama Auto Plant), Honda Manufacturing of Indiana (now Indiana Auto Plant), and Honda North America.

Nelson joined Honda in 1987 in the purchasing area of Honda of America Mfg., at a time when Honda was beginning to dramatically expand local parts sourcing in North America. Nelson also served a three-year assignment in Tochigi, Japan as a member of the North America Task Group, an assignment meant to advance and grow new model development, where he managed a liaison function supporting Honda manufacturing in Ohio. His career also includes serving as president of the former Honda Manufacturing of Indiana (now Indiana Auto Plant).

Succeeding Nelson as the SVP of HDMA will be the current Alabama Auto Plant (AAP) Vice President and Plant Lead, Bob Schwyn. Lamar Whitaker, currently the associate chief administrator and line 2 division lead in Alabama, will succeed Schwyn as AAP Plant Lead. Both moves also are effective Oct. 3.