New president appointed at Thomas Built Buses

HIGH POINT, N.C. — Caley Edgerly will succeed Kelley Platt as president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses, officials announced on Tuesday.

Platt, who has helmed the school bus manufacturer since 2010, has been named general manager of truck manufacturer Western Star.

Like Thomas Built, Western Star is a Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) brand. Platt will relocate to the Portland, Oregon, area to oversee Western Star’s initiatives from DTNA’s corporate headquarters, starting in the new role on April 1.

Platt, who has been with DTNA since 1989, played a key role in the company’s acquisition of both Western Star and Thomas Built Buses. DTNA officials said that her guidance as president and CEO of Thomas Built led to “great success, including two consecutive years of undisputed market leadership.”

For her part, Platt thanked the staff at Thomas Built.

“The last five years have been truly special for me,” she said, adding that Thomas Built Buses “will always be a place I hold dear. I have no doubt in your ability to keep the momentum going and continue to lead the industry. I know you’re in great hands with Caley.”

Platt will remain in her role at Thomas Built until Feb. 28. Edgerly will take the helm on March 1.

Edgerly has served as vice president of operations at Thomas Built since 2012. He joined Detroit Diesel Corp., another DTNA brand, in 1994 as a quality control engineer. Since then, he has held numerous positions throughout Detroit Diesel and DTNA.

DTNA officials said that Edgerly will lead Thomas Built through its recently announced expansion and will build on the manufacturer's position in the school bus market.

“The solid foundation developed by Kelley Platt has certainly created a bright future for Thomas Built Buses,” Edgerly said. “We are very well positioned as we head into our next century of operation as the market leading school bus manufacturer. Behind our great products are great people, and I am personally excited to see what successes our team will achieve going forward.”