Sage Automotive Interiors announces leadership transition
March 26, 2024
Sage Automotive Interiors, a leader in the automotive interior materials industry, has announced the appointment of Dan Russian as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Russian succeeds Chris Heard, who retires March 31, 2024 after a 38-year career.
A University of Tennessee alumnus with a degree in Industrial Engineering, Russian’s tenure spans over 33 years. He began his career as a shift manager in 1990, demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to the company throughout his career.
Chairman of the Sage Automotive Interiors Board of Directors, Dirk Pieper says about Russian, “Dan has the experience and exposure to all parts of the company to take us forward in a way that will advance the company toward its 2030 goals and beyond.”
In 2009, Dan was part of the team that created Sage Automotive Interiors from Milliken’s Automotive Division. He became Vice President, Europe during a five-year Expat Assignment in Europe — living in Germany and Italy, helping to integrate new Sage acquisitions. Upon return to the United States, Dan became Vice President, Sales & Marketing (Americas).
Sage Automotive Interiors enters its 15th year since becoming independent in 2009. Currently, Sage has approximately $1B in annual revenue and operates on five continents with 5,000 employees globally. South Carolina hosts four manufacturing locations, and the company headquarters, employing roughly 1,000 people in Greenville, Spartanburg and Abbeville counties. Sage also has a location in Georgia.
The board and associates of Sage Automotive Interiors warmly welcome Russian into his new role as President and CEO and look forward to a future of continued growth and innovation under his leadership. Concurrently, they bid farewell to Chris Heard, whose incredible impact during his career at Sage Automotive Interiors is deeply acknowledged.
About Sage Automotive Interiors
Sage Automotive Interiors is one of the world’s leading providers of automotive interior materials—seating, door panel surfaces and headliners—to automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Global offices and manufacturing locations include North America, South America, EMEA and Asia. Sage’s core strengths are consumer research, sustainability and innovative problem solving for the OEM. Sage’s vision is to continually lead the market in design, engineering and technical capability, supported by world-class manufacturing. Sage Automotive Interiors is an Asahi Kasei company (TYO: 3407).
