Mack changing the guard

Paul L. Vikner, the president and CEO of Mack Trucks since 2001, will leave that post on April 1 and join the Mack board of directors as vice chairman. Dennis R. Slagle will succeed him at Mack’s top executive post, according to a company announcement today.

Slagle is currently president and CEO of Volvo Construction Equipment North America, another North American operating subsidiary of Mack’s parent the Volvo Group.

Slagle has headed the construction equipment group since 2003 and previously served as president of its largest North American dealer, L.B. Smith Inc. He will move from the Volvo construction equipment headquarters in Asheville, NC, to Mack’s Allentown, PA, headquarters, according to the company announcement. The press release announcing his appointment noted that “Mack holds a very strong position” in the construction truck market.

Vikner’s appointment as Mack president and CEO in 2001 was his third return to the truck manufacturer where he began his career in trucking in 1972. Following executive positions with Iveco Trucks of North America and Isuzu Trucks of America, he rejoined Mack in 1995, eventually serving as executive vp for sales and marketing before briefly retiring in 2000.

In his new role on the Mack board, Vikner will also continue to service as an adviser to the Volvo Group. He has been a member of the Volvo Group Executive Committee since 2003.