SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Thomas Built Leader Takes on General Manager Role at DTNA

Caley Edgerly, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses, becomes general manager, operations planning and quality, for Daimler Trucks North America. He takes over for Sungsoo Lee, who is retiring.

by SBF Staff
April 15, 2021
Thomas Built Leader Takes on General Manager Role at DTNA

Caley Edgerly, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses, is taking on the role of general manager, operations planning and quality, for Daimler Trucks North America.

Photo courtesy Daimler Trucks North America

2 min to read


Caley Edgerly, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses, is moving into the role of general manager, operations planning and quality, at Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) effective immediately, the commercial vehicle manufacturer announced on Thursday.

Edgerly’s successor will be named at a later date, Thomas Built Buses told School Bus Fleet.

Ad Loading...

“We are thrilled to have Caley Edgerly step into a role for which he is so uniquely suited and which carries such great significance for our customers,” said John O’Leary, president and CEO of DTNA in a news release. “Through his dedicated leadership, relentless customer focus, and unwavering attention to detail, Caley has continually demonstrated a strong commitment to both our valued Thomas Built Buses customers and the larger Daimler Trucks organization. We look forward to his continued support as we embark on an era of growth for the whole of the DTNA organization.”

Edgerly joined Daimler in 1994, starting as a quality engineer at Detroit Diesel Corp. (DDC). He later became the director of product development and growth for Detroit Diesel Reman, where he was responsible for engineering and development at six plant locations.

Since that time, Edgerly has held increasing roles of responsibility at DTNA, the parent company of Thomas Built Buses, including vice president and general manager of DDC; vice president of operations at TBB; and, for the past six years, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. Edgerly holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University.

Edgerly replaces Sungsoo Lee, who is retiring after 34 years with Daimler and its affiliated entities. Lee started his career with Daimler as operations manager at then DaimlerChrysler in Detroit, before accepting an international assignment in South Africa, where he resided for nearly three years. On his return to the U.S., he held increasing roles of responsibility at Daimler, including plant manager and executive vice president before the appointment to his current role as general manager, production planning and quality management, at DTNA.

“We extend our many thanks to Sungsoo for his indispensable leadership and enduring commitment to the success of our organization for the past three and a half decades,” O’Leary said. “We wish him the best as he steps into his well-deserved retirement.”

More Management

School Bus Fleet leadership update graphic announcing School Bus Logistics hires Lance Osler as routing consultant and Dave Sollecito as director of business development, with headshots of both.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 17, 2026

School Bus Logistics Promotes Dave Sollecito, Welcomes New Routing Consultant

Industry veteran Lance Osler joins the Denver-based firm as routing consultant while Sollecito steps into a new leadership role focused on business development.

Read More →
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of the back of a school bus and text reading "Legislative Roundup March 2026."
Managementby StaffMarch 16, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: Anti-Trafficking Curriculum, Passing Loopholes & Tougher Penalties

From Nebraska CDL training add-ons, tackling stop arm passing loopholes in Minnesota, and increased penalties for school bus driver DUIs and firearm incidents, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
Thumbnail for The Route by School Bus Fleet featuring Andy Campbell and Steph Eckes of Sourcewell discussing cooperative purchasing, sponsored by IC Bus.
Sponsoredby Amanda HuggettMarch 16, 2026

Cooperative Purchasing Explained: A Guide for School Transportation Pros

Stop bidding everything and consider a simpler way. Learn how cooperative purchasing can streamline purchases while maintaining compliance. Sourcewell breaks down the process in this episode of The Route, sponsored by IC Bus.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Buyers Guide and Directory thumbnail
SponsoredMarch 13, 2026

2026 School Bus Fleet Vendor Directory & Buyer's Guide

Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.

Read More →
HopSkipDrive dashcam in a car.
Managementby StaffMarch 13, 2026

HopSkipDrive Launches In-App Ride Recording and Real-Time Student Trip Tracking Tool

New software features add smartphone-based ride recording and web trip tracking to boost safety, transparency, and caregiver visibility.

Read More →
An orange and red graphic with an image of a school bus parked at the curb in the background, and text reading "Union Momentum Continues in Alaska, Ontario & New York."
Managementby Staff and News ReportsMarch 12, 2026

School Bus Labor Disputes and Union Organizing Continue Across North America

School bus drivers and monitors in New York joined Teamsters, while others in Alaska and Ontario face ongoing strikes over wages and contracts.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Headshots of Shelby Noakes, Rob Consoli, Rachel Trindade, and Michael Chase featured in a Zonar leadership update graphic from School Bus Fleet.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 11, 2026

Zonar Announces New Executive Leadership Appointments

After a recent merger and another acquisition, Zonar looks to the future with its four new executive team leads.

Read More →
Graphic promoting Kajeet Connected Communities, a program offering managed internet connectivity solutions for schools, libraries and nonprofits to support digital access initiatives.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 11, 2026

Kajeet Launches Low-Cost Internet Program for Schools and Buses

In the wake of federal funding cuts to the e-rate program and on-board WiFi, Kajeet offers a new option for Internet connectivity where it matters most for students.

Read More →
Graphic announcing Forest River Bus & Van’s 2025 Top Dealer awards alongside a plaque recognizing The Bus Center as a Top 4 Dealer of the Year for sales performance and customer service.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 10, 2026

The Bus Center Named a 2025 Top 4 Forest River Dealer

The Bus Center was named a Top 4 Dealer for Forest River Bus & Van for 2025, marking its second consecutive year receiving recognition from the manufacturer.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Model 1 Commercial Vehicles facility in Elgin, Illinois with a lineup of commercial vans and shuttle buses parked outside the dealership and service center supporting fleet customers in the Chicago area.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 9, 2026

Model1 Opens New Illinois Location, Joins Sourcewell

The dealership's new Elgin location will serve commercial fleets across the Chicago area.

Read More →