(TSX: NFI, OTC: NFYEF, TSX: NFI.DB) NFI
Group Inc. (NFI, or the Company) a leading independent bus and
coach manufacturer and a leader in zero-emission electric mass
mobility solutions, today announced strategic enhancements to its
Board of Directors with the appointment of Chan Galbato to succeed
Wendy Kei as Board Chair, as well as the appointments of Aziz
Aghili and Maryse Saint-Laurent to succeed directors Larry Edwards
and Krystyna Hoeg, who will retire from the Board at the next
annual general meeting in accordance with the Company’s Board term
and age limit policies.
“We are pleased to welcome Chan as our new Board
Chair and Aziz and Maryse as directors,” said Paul Soubry,
President and Chief Executive Officer, NFI. “Chan’s appointment
brings valuable operational and supply chain expertise at a crucial
time in our growth trajectory. His track record of driving
operational excellence across global manufacturing organizations
will be invaluable as we execute on our $12 billion backlog and
capitalize on record demand for our buses and coaches.”
Mr. Galbato brings extensive operational
leadership experience from his roles as CEO of Cerberus Operations
and Advisory Company and through senior executive positions at
major manufacturing and industrial companies. His track record
includes successfully leading complex operational transformations
and supply chain optimization initiatives at organizations
including Invensys Controls Group, where he oversaw 30 global
manufacturing facilities and led a comprehensive strategic
restructuring that restored profitability, and GE Transportation
Systems, where he gained valuable experience in transportation and
technology across a wide range of segments (public transit,
heavy-duty rail, specialty vehicles, and aerospace). At Cerberus,
he served as Executive Chair of multiple portfolio companies
including Blue Bird Corporation, demonstrating strong board
leadership in transportation manufacturing. His deep expertise in
manufacturing operations, global supply chains, and business
optimization, combined with his proven board governance experience,
aligns strongly with NFI Group’s commitment to operational
excellence in its bus and coach manufacturing business.
“NFI is truly a global leader in sustainable
transportation, and I am honored to take on the role of Chair.
NFI’s unique market position, integrated solutions offering, and
focus on technology leadership create compelling opportunities for
value creation,” said Mr. Galbato. “I look forward to working with
the Board and management team to enhance operational execution and
accelerate the Company’s growth in 2025 and beyond.”
The appointments of independent directors, Mr.
Galbato, Mr. Aghili, and Ms. Saint-Laurent further strengthens the
Board’s expertise in manufacturing, supply chain management, human
resources, and capital markets. These additions reflect NFI’s
commitment to assembling a Board with the right mix of skills to
address industry-wide supply chain challenges while capitalizing on
unprecedented opportunities in zero-emission transportation and are
the result of a rigorous selection process led by a leading
executive search firm.
The Company also announced that Wendy Kei will
be retiring from her role on the Company’s Board. During her
tenure, Ms. Kei played a crucial role in helping the company
navigate a challenging operating environment, the completion of a
comprehensive refinancing plan, and the execution of a Board
renewal strategy to meet the evolving needs of the Company, which
resulted in half of the board changing over the last three
years.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to express our
deep appreciation to Wendy for her dedicated leadership and
significant contributions to NFI’s governance and renewal process,”
said Larry Edwards, Chair of the Human Resources, Compensation and
Corporate Governance Committee. “Her efforts have positioned us
well for the future and we wish her the best.”
Director Bios
Chan Galbato
Mr. Galbato was most recently the CEO of
Cerberus Operations and Advisory Company where he oversaw the
platform’s operating executives and functional experts focusing on
the integration of operating expertise within Cerberus’ portfolio
of companies and investment strategies. While at Cerberus, he
served as Executive Chair of five different businesses, including
Blue Bird and businesses in the auto sector. Prior to joining
Cerberus in 2009, Mr. Galbato was president and CEO of the Controls
Division of Invensys PLC and separately, was the president of
services at The Home Depot. Mr. Galbato also held the position of
president and CEO of Armstrong Floor Products and prior to that,
was the CEO of Choice Parts.
He also spent 14 years with General Electric,
holding several operating and GE Finance leadership positions as
well as holding the role of president and CEO of Coregis, a GE
Capital company. His board experience includes various Cerberus
portfolio companies, including Chairman of Avon Products, Chairman
of YP, Chairman of North American Bus Industries, Chairman of
Guilford Mills, Director of New Avon, Director of Tower
International, and Director of DynCorp International. He also
served as Co-Chair of Albertsons and Lead Director for Brady, a
publicly traded manufacturing company.
Aziz Aghili
With a distinguished 35-year career, Mr. Aghili
brings significant expertise in manufacturing, technology, and
global supply chain management to NFI. Mr. Aghili was most recently
the Executive Vice President of Dana, a publicly traded, worldwide
supplier of drivetrain, sealing and thermal-management technologies
for vehicle manufacturers. Over his 15-year tenure at Dana he held
numerous leadership positions, including President, Dana Europe and
President, Dana Asia Pacific. He also spent 20 years at Meritor
with leadership roles in manufacturing, procurement, business
development and commercial marketing. Mr. Aghili currently serves
on the board of Graphic Packaging Holding Company and Columbus
McKinnon Corporation.
Maryse Saint-Laurent
With over 30 years of experience, Ms. Saint
Laurent is an accomplished business leader and director with
significant expertise in corporate governance and capital markets.
Ms. Saint-Laurent currently serves on the boards of ATB Financial,
BBA Consultants and North American Construction Group, where she
Chairs the Governance and Sustainability Committee. She has
previously served on the Boards of the Alberta Securities
Commission, Turquoise Hill Resources, Pretium Resources, and Guyana
Goldfields. During her career she also held senior leadership roles
in the energy sector. Her extensive background in law, mergers and
acquisitions, capital markets financing, and human resources will
be invaluable to NFI.
About NFI
Leveraging 450 years of combined experience, NFI
is leading the electrification of mass mobility around the world.
With zero-emission buses and coaches, infrastructure, and
technology, NFI meets today’s urban demands for scalable smart
mobility solutions. Together, NFI is enabling more livable cities
through connected, clean, and sustainable transportation.
With over 9,100 team members in ten countries,
NFI is a leading global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions
under the brands New Flyer® (heavy-duty transit buses), MCI®
(motorcoaches), Alexander Dennis Limited (single- and double-deck
buses), Plaxton (motorcoaches), ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and
medium-duty buses), and NFI Parts™. NFI currently offers the widest
range of sustainable drive systems available, including
zero-emission electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell), natural
gas, electric hybrid, and clean diesel. In total, NFI supports its
installed base of over 100,000 buses and coaches around the world.
NFI’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”)
under the symbol NFI and its convertible unsecured debentures trade
on the TSX under the symbol NFI.DB. News and information is
available at www.nfigroup.com, www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com,
nfi.parts, www.alexander-dennis.com, arbocsv.com, and
carfaircomposites.com.
For investor and media inquiries, please
contact: Stephen King P:
204.792.1300 Stephen.King@nfigroup.com
NFI (TSX:NFI.DB)
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