Piston Group s Joe Finn takes on dual leadership role
Alexa St. John
Joe Finn
Joe Finn, CEO of the Irvin Products business of supplier Piston Group, is also assuming leadership of Piston s Detroit Thermal Systems business.
Finn, 53, takes the helm effective immediately. Former Detroit Thermal Systems CEO Kurt Hall, 62, retired in November, Piston Group said Wednesday.
Piston Group, based in Southfield, is controlled by former Detroit Pistons star Vinnie Johnson. Johnson led the acquisition of Irvin from scandal-ridden Japanese airbag supplier Takata Corp. in 2016 for a reported $175 million.
Irvin Products primarily supplies seat covers, visors, armrests, consoles and custom accessories. Detroit Thermal Systems supplies climate control systems and components.
DBusiness Magazine
Wilbert W. James Jr. // Photo courtesy of Piston Group
Vinnie Johnson, chairman and CEO of Piston Group, announced the appointment of Wilbert W. James Jr. to the company’s board of directors.
James served as the seventh president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, which is Toyota’s largest automotive manufacturing plant globally with more than 10,000 team members. He also served as manufacturing executive champion for quality, morale, and policy, and diversity initiatives for all of Toyota’s 14 North American manufacturing facilities. He was a charter member of Toyota’s Diversity Council.
Over his 30 years with Toyota, he led Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky to its platinum, silver, and bronze J.D. Power Awards. He is now retired.