Carolina International Trucks, the largest commercial truck dealership in South Carolina, has named Katherine ‘Kate’ Hanson as president and chief operating officer, succeeding founder Richard Ryan who continues as chairman and CEO, the company said.According to the company, Hanson graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2000 with a degree in psychology and a minor in business administration. In 2005, she graduated from the NADA-ATD Dealer Academy, a program that prepares leaders to direct and improve the operations and financial results of each department within the truck dealership. And in 2009, Hanson completed the Executive Dealer Leadership Program offered by Navistar.Hanson has more than 15 years of dealership experience, according to CIT. She joined Carolina International in 2000 as a human resource administrator handling benefits programs and employee relations. She then served as marketing director and implemented the company’s first CRM system.In 2005, Hanson was named general manager of the Charleston location and in 2008 she moved to the company’s headquarters location in Columbia as general manager. In 2010, Hanson was promoted to vice president of CIT with responsibility for all fixed operations and during that time she spearheaded the implementation of a new dealership management system. Hanson is a member of the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Trucking Association, a member of the American Truck Dealers association, and the Columbia Executive and Owners’ Association, the company said.“Kate came up through the ranks of Carolina International and understands our business, markets and customers,” Ryan said. “She has the skills, education and experience to improve our operational performance and lead future expansion into other markets.”“I am committed to building on Dick’s legacy and vision for Carolina International,” Hanson said. “We are fortunate to have many experienced and tenured industry professionals on our team. I look forward to working with our team to grow our business and continue to move our customers forward with excellent products backed by superior service.”
