Brett Wood was named chairman and chief executive at Irvine-based Toyota Ma-terial Handling USA Inc. He will replace Shankar Basu, who an-nounced his retirement in September.
Wood, who was named president of the lift truck and forklift unit of Toyota Motor Corp. last year, will continue to oversee all operations for the company as well as serve on its board. He will also serve on the board of Indiana-based Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg. Inc., where most of the Toyota forklifts and lift trucks sold in the U.S. are made.
“This is an exciting time for us as technological advances (such as) alternative energy touch the industry,” he said. “You are going to see hybrid forklifts and lift trucks, as well as other product advancements.”
Wood has been with the company since 1989, when he began in the engineering department. He later moved into sales and marketing, most recently serving as vice president of marketing, product and strategic planning, and training operations.
Prior to joining Toyota, Wood held engineering positions with Northrop Grumman Corp. and IBM Corp. He graduated from Cornell University in 1985 with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering.
He lives in Manhattan Beach with his wife and daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer and is president of an adult soccer league in Orange County.
AEROSPACE
Costa Mesa-based Semicoa Corp. hired Brian Triggs as director of its radiation hardening program. Triggs previously was with Raytheon Co.
BANKING
Tom Dobyns was named chief executive of New-port Beach-based American Security Bank. He takes over for David Blankenhorn, who is retiring.
CONSULTING
Heather Flower joined Don Dressler Consulting in Irvine as director of communications. She previously was director of development at the American Association of Gyne-cologic Laparoscopists in Cypress.
FINANCE
EOI Service Co. hired Richard Kendrick as a regional director. He will be responsible for marketing and sales for the Santa Ana-based insurance brokerage. He previously worked at VIIA/Intercare Insurance in the voluntary benefits division.
