Toyota Rounds Out Diversity Team

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 31 -- Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS) recently announced the completion of appointments to the newly formed Diversity Development Department, a pivotal step towards fulfilling Toyota's ambitious 10-year $7.8 million diversity strategy. The department is charged with ensuring that Toyota has sound diversity-development processes, people management systems and measurable strategies aligned with its corporate vision. Leading the department is Vice President of Diversity Guillermo Hysaw, who reports directly to Jim Press, TMS executive vice president and COO. Members of the Diversity Development department include: -- J.L. Armstrong, national manager, diversity development - community. Armstrong is charged with fostering solid relationships with major community-based organizations and ensuring that Toyota's regional offices, dealers and private distributors develop equally strong ties within their local communities. He formerly served as national supplier development manager. -- Larry Distler, national manager, diversity development - dealer. Distler is responsible for ensuring greater diversity in dealerships by supervising Avenues for Advancement, a series of programs designed to bolster minority participation in automotive retail operations. He formerly served as national marketing and communications manager. -- Beth Henning, national manager, diversity development - corporate. Henning's focus is on employee development and the cultural transformation of Toyota's dealer and associate base. She works with Toyota's human resources department, internal groups, and the University of Toyota, the company's educational and training arm. Henning formerly served as national manager for advanced technology vehicle marketing. -- Gail Herring, administrative assistant and communications specialist. Herring is tasked with the administration of the department, and coordination of internal communications via a diversity Web site, corporate newsletter and Dealer Daily, Toyota's dealer intranet. She previously served as senior legal secretary.

"Each member of this team shares a passion for the work with which they've been tasked," said Vice President of Diversity Guillermo Hysaw. "Their stewardship and dedication is key to upholding our culture which views diversity as the pathway to a better company."

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