Nissan Appoints Randy Knight Vice President Of Manufacturing In Smyrna, Tenn.

NASHVILLE, TN--Nov. 16, 2013: Nissan announced that Randy Knight has been named vice president of Nissan's vehicle assembly plant in Smyrna, Tenn., effective Nov. 18. Knight replaces Susan Brennan, who has elected to pursue career opportunities outside Nissan.

Knight, currently director of material handling and production control, joined Nissan in 1983 as a production technician. He has held a number of leadership positions in Nissan manufacturing and supply chain management including plant operations, material planning, inventory control, material supply and material handling.

"We are proud to appoint Randy Knight to this leadership position in Smyrna," said Bill Krueger, senior vice president, Manufacturing, Purchasing and Supply Chain, Nissan Americas. "In Smyrna, our momentum continues as we add new products, jobs and investment to our U.S. manufacturing operations, and Randy will play an integral role in ensuring the success of these efforts."

Nissan's U.S. manufacturing footprint in Smyrna spans more than three decades and now employs more than 7,000 people with an annual payroll in excess of $275 million. The plant is home to the award-winning Altima, Maxima, Pathfinder, LEAF and Infiniti QX60, as well as the country's largest lithium-ion automotive battery plant supporting production of the all-electric, zero-emission Nissan LEAF. Last month, the facility celebrated two major milestones with the first U.S.-produced 2014 Nissan Rogue rolling off the line in Smyrna as the plant's 10 millionth vehicle.

Knight holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University.