Johnson Controls Gives Two Key Leaders New Roles Within its Automotive Business

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Nov. 4, 2004 -- Johnson Controls has appointed two top executives to new leadership positions in its Automotive Group. The unit is the world's largest supplier of automotive interiors and batteries.

Byron Foster was appointed group vice president and general manager, customer business units -- North America. In this post, he oversees the Johnson Controls' automotive interiors business serving North American-based customers, including the Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors. In this new post, Foster reports to Brian Kesseler, group vice president and general manager, North America, and is based at Johnson Controls' Plymouth, Michigan technical campus.

Carolyn Woznicki was appointed vice president of purchasing -- North America. In this role, she has the responsibility of leading purchasing activities within the region. She also reports to Kesseler and is based in the Plymouth office.

Kesseler recently announced the changes. He said they help support Johnson Controls' efforts to realign resources for enhanced customer service.

"The promotions of Byron Foster and Carolyn Woznicki will help strengthen our organization's focus on customer satisfaction, cost leadership, innovation and quality," said Kesseler. "They are taking on new roles to help us maintain our leadership position as the top supplier of innovative interiors in the automotive industry."

During the past year, Foster served as group vice president and general manager, planning -- North America. Prior to that, he was vice president and general manager of the SLI (starting, lighting and ignition) battery business; managing director, Mercedes-Benz Business Unit; plant manager at a Belcamp, Maryland seat manufacturing facility; and director of strategic planning.

Prior to joining Johnson Controls, Foster was a senior associate with Booz Allen and Hamilton. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan and a master's degree in business administration from Northwestern University.

In 2004, Woznicki served as vice president, customer business unit (CBU) strategies. She was responsible for managing CBU strategy and CBU global change initiatives.

Prior to that she was vice president and general manager of the company's Ford Business Unit -- North America; managing director in the company's DaimlerChrysler Business Unit, and executive director of purchasing in the General Motors Business Unit. Prior to joining Johnson Controls in 1998, Woznicki spent 18 years at General Motors working in a variety of positions.

She earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial administration from General Motors Institute, and a master's degree in business administration from Oakland University.

Johnson Controls is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major supplier of integrated seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non-residential facilities, Johnson Controls provides control systems and services including comfort, energy and security management. Johnson Controls , founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.