TBB's Bangston Assumes Leadership Over Freightliner Custom Chassis

Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA) has announced that Kevin Bangston is assuming an expanded role as president and CEO of Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) alongside his current position as president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses (TBB), effective May 3, 2024. Bangston succeeds Jeff Sather, who retires after 23 years of service at DTNA.

“While walking away from this amazing position and outstanding company is never easy, I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team during my time here,” Sather said. “From day one, I’ve been inspired by FCCC’s dedication to its customers and tireless efforts to provide them with the best experience possible, no matter what. I’m very grateful to everyone here for their contributions and commitment to our success.”

With more than 25 years of experience in the transportation industry, Bangston is considered well-suited to lead FCCC into its next phase of operations. He began his DTNA career in 2001 in corporate finance and has since held various roles, including international leadership positions in Germany, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Returning in 2019 as the general manager of distribution network development, Bangston has been serving as TBB's president and CEO since June 2021. During his tenure at TBB, Bangston has demonstrated remarkable adaptability and has contributed to the company's growth in the electric vehicle market, recently marking the delivery of their 1,000th all-electric Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley school bus.

Under the new structure, both FCCC and TBB teams will report to Bangston. He will be responsible for strategic vision, operations oversight, and growth initiatives across key business segments of DTNA's specialty vehicles division. This division encompasses recreational vehicles, walk-in vans, delivery vehicles, commercial, shuttle, and school buses.

Jeff Allen, senior vice president of operations and specialty vehicles at DTNA, emphasized the significance of organizational cohesion in fostering innovation. He noted: "Kevin’s extensive industry experience, both within DTNA and externally, positions him well to leverage the strengths of both companies, driving innovation and growth while prioritizing customer-centric strategies."

John O’Leary, president and CEO of DTNA, expressed optimism about the combined leadership of FCCC and TBB, highlighting Bangston's impactful leadership. O’Leary stated: “Kevin's leadership presents an opportunity for these strong businesses to capitalize on synergies and advance our vision of sustainable transportation leadership.”

Bangston holds a master's degree in international business from the Moore School at the University of South Carolina.