FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Blue Bird Corp. has made enhancements to its organizational structure that officials said are integral to the company’s long-term growth strategy.

Jeffrey Merten joined Blue Bird as executive director of global marketing. He has spent the last 16 years at Harley-Davidson Inc., holding various leadership roles in marketing and sales.

Merten's background includes dealer development, strategic planning and leading the global operations in Asia Pacific and Latin America. Prior to that, Merten worked at Ford Motor Co. in sales positions.

Officials said he brings expertise in brand development and marketing to his position at Blue Bird, along with excellent dealership operations experience.

Merten has a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University and a master’s degree from Wayne State University in Michigan.

In other news, Blue Bird’s Jeff Carpenter has been appointed executive director of North American school bus sales.

Carpenter has been with the company for 28 years and has held various positions within its sales organization.

Officials said he has been “invaluable to Blue Bird’s recent sales and market share growth.”