Executive Bios

Executives
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Kinji “Kevin” Saito
President, American Suzuki
American Suzuki Motor Corporation

Kinji Saito is president of American Suzuki Motor Corporation based at company headquarters in Brea, Calif. As president, he is responsible for automotive, motorcycle/ATV and marine, and corporate operations in the U.S. and brings nearly three decades of internal experience to Suzuki. Saito oversees a team and business plan responsible for all American Suzuki operations, including the introduction of a series of new vehicle, motorcycle, ATV and marine engine models.

Prior to being named U.S. president in 2008, Saito served as deputy executive general manager for Suzuki Motor Corporation's global marketing programs. Saito began his career with Suzuki Motor Corporation in 1981, where he worked in the domestic sales department in Hamamatsu, Japan, managing market research and product planning efforts for domestic Japanese automotive sales. From 2002 to 2006, Saito served as director of sales and marketing for Maruti Suzuki India Limited, before being named Suzuki Motor Corporation general manager of Asian marketing in 2006.

He holds a degree in economics from Hiroshima University, Japan. He is married and has three children.

Media Contacts
Jeff Holland, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com
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Masafumi “Mark” Harano
Executive Vice President, Automotive Operations
American Suzuki Motor Corporation

Mark Harano is executive vice president of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), automotive operations, based at company headquarters in Brea, Calif. He brings nearly two decades of internal experience to Suzuki Auto, beginning his automotive career at Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan in 1988. Harano oversees a team and business plan responsible for the introduction of a series of new vehicle models as well as upgrades to the dealer network through the Suzuki Square retail brand image program.

Prior to being named executive vice president in July 2008, Harano served as U.S. president of ASMC's automotive operations, following three years as president of Suzuki Canada. Before moving to Canada, he was assistant to the company's vice president of automotive sales and marketing at ASMC's Brea-based headquarters, from 1993 to 1998. At the onset of his career with Suzuki, Harano managed the company's overseas automobile marketing in Southeast Asia and North America, as well as its auto product planning department in Hamamatsu, Japan.

He holds a degree in foreign studies, from Kobe City University, Japan, and resides in Irvine, Calif. with his wife.

Media Contacts
Jeff Holland, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com
Andrew Nicolai, PainePR for American Suzuki – (949) 809-6786, anicolai@painepr.com
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Gary Akin
Vice President, Automotive Sales and Market Representation
American Suzuki Motor Corporation

Gary Akin is vice president of sales for the automotive operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation, based at company headquarters in Brea, California. Akin, who joined American Suzuki in February 2007, is responsible for overseeing Suzuki Auto's sales efforts, including dealer relations, field operations, market support, sales planning, distribution and market representation.

Akin has more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, serving in areas such as dealer development, brand management and sales operations. He began his career at Ford Motor Co. in consumer affairs and later moved on to district service and parts manager. In 1984, Akin joined Volkswagen of America and held field and management positions in sales operations, distribution and dealer development. He continued to hone his automotive industry knowledge at Nissan, where he helped launch the luxury brand Infiniti in a dealer development role. While with Nissan, Akin also held positions in sales operations and brand management. He later returned to Volkswagen to contribute to the brand's resurgence in the American market in 1996. Until early 2007, Akin had held a variety of positions at Volkswagen of America.

Akin earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan. He resides in Southern California and enjoys spending time with his family, motor sports and most outdoor activities.

Media Contacts
Jeff Holland, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com
Andrew Nicolai, PainePR for American Suzuki – (949) 809-6786, anicolai@painepr.com
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Gene Brown
Vice President, Automotive Marketing and Public Relations
American Suzuki Motor Corporation

Gene Brown is vice president of marketing and public relations for the Automotive Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), based in Brea, Calif. Brown joined American Suzuki in March, 2006 and is responsible for ASMC’s efforts to build brand image and awareness with consumers and the media, continuing with another exciting new vehicle launch for the 2008 model year. He oversees all aspects of marketing, from advertising to promotions, media planning, press events, and auto shows along with ASMC's fleet and remarketing efforts.

Brown comes to ASMC with extensive experience in automotive marketing. Most recently, Brown served as truck marketing manager at Nissan North America Inc. where he helped launch the first import full-size pickup. Prior to joining Nissan he held a variety of brand management roles at Ford Motor Company, along with a stint in product planning. His positions ranged from overseeing Ford’s F-Series business in the U.S. to jobs working with Lincoln Mercury and Ford of Europe. Brown began his career as a field sales representative for American Honda Motor Company in Denver.

Brown earned a BA degree in economics from Williams College in Williamstown, MA and an MBA in marketing from the Graduate School of Business at University of Chicago. He resides in Southern California and enjoys sailing, racquetball, whitewater rafting and motorcycle/ATV riding.

Media Contacts
Jeff Holland, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com
Andrew Nicolai, PainePR for American Suzuki – (949) 809-6786, anicolai@painepr.com
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Chuck Halper
Vice President, Automotive Quality and Service
American Suzuki Motor Corporation

Chuck Halper is the vice president of service and quality for the Automotive Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation and based at company headquarters in Brea, California. Halper leads Suzuki Auto’s efforts in improving vehicle quality and owner loyalty. He directs the service and product support functions including service development, vehicle engineering, service, parts and technical training, warranty and related after-sales matters.

Halper arrived at Suzuki Auto with more than three decades of automotive industry experience, focused mainly in the service and business development sectors. His experience prior to joining American Suzuki includes a beginning at Chrysler Corporation, out of college, as a financial analyst in manufacturing. In addition, Halper held management positions at Nissan Motor as national service planning and administration manager. There, he helped launch Nissan’s luxury brand Infiniti, as national business development manager, then as its national parts and service manager. Halper progressed to Hyundai Motor America, followed by a stint at Mitsubishi Motors North America, both as vice president of service.

Halper earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration (cum laude) from California State University, Fullerton. He was awarded Automotive News’ Industry ALL-STAR Award for Parts and Service in 2002. He resides in Yorba Linda, Calif. and is a musician and collector of old cars.

Media Contacts
Jeff Holland, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com
Andrew Nicolai, PainePR for American Suzuki – (949) 809-6786, anicolai@painepr.com
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Ryosaku “Rick” Suzuki
Board Advisor, American Suzuki
American Suzuki Motor Corporation

Ryosaku “Rick” Suzuki is board advisor of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), based at company headquarters in Brea, California. In this position, he provides strategic direction and support for American Suzuki's overall operations, including the company's automotive, motorcycle/ATV and marine divisions.

Previously, Mr. Suzuki served as chairman of ASMC. following his tenure as president of ASMC's Corporate Operations which included the operations, parts & accessories and customer relations divisions, as well as the information technology, legal and government relations departments. Prior to joining ASMC, he served as vice president of CAMI Automotive Inc., a joint venture of Suzuki Motor Corporation and General Motors of Canada, from 1991 until 1999. Mr. Suzuki also served as manager of the Suzuki Motor Corporation General Motors Affairs Division, from 1989 until 1991. He was in charge of Suzuki's North American and Latin American automotive marketing operations from 1987 to 1989 at Suzuki Motor Corporation and served as president of Suzuki Canada from 1983 until 1986. Mr. Suzuki began his career with Suzuki Motor Corporation in 1977.

Rick Suzuki is a graduate of the University of Southern California, and he and his wife Michiko reside in Orange County, Calif. He has two daughters and a son who reside in Ontario, Canada.

Media Contacts
Jeff Holland, American Suzuki – (714) 996-7040 ext. 2464, autopr@suz.com
Andrew Nicolai, PainePR for American Suzuki – (949) 809-6786, anicolai@painepr.com
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