October
21 -- Following former Kohler Engines president Tom Cromwell’s appointment to
group president at Kohler Co.’s Power Group in September, the company has
promoted Brian Melka to the role of president of Engines Americas.
Melka
assumes full responsibility for the engines business in the Americas region,
establishing strategic direction, managing operational demands, driving growth
and profitability objectives, and attracting and developing talent. In
addition, he will have worldwide responsibility for new product development,
marketing and overall growth of the gasoline engines product lines. Melka
joined Kohler in 2013 in the role of vice president.
Prior
to Kohler, he served in numerous senior capacities at Milwaukee-based Rexnord
Corp., where he most recently held the role of vice president of global mining
and product management. Before joining Rexnord, he spent more than 12 years
working for various Rhode Island-headquartered Textron Inc. businesses
including Greenlee Textron and Jacobsen Textron.
Melka
holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of
Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Kohler
Engines manufactures small engines for riding lawn mowers, garden tractors,
walk-behind lawn mowers, concrete construction equipment, outdoor power
equipment, welders, pressure washers and other products.
Headquartered
in Kohler, Kohler Co. is a global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath
products, engines and power systems, furniture, cabinetry and tile. It also
owns and operates two five-star hospitality and golf resort destinations in
Kohler and St Andrews, Scotland.
