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Debra J. Nelson Joins DaimlerChrysler as Senior Manager Group Marketing, Diversity and Regional Communications

17 October 2000

Debra J. Nelson Joins DaimlerChrysler as Senior Manager Group Marketing, Diversity and Regional Communications

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 17 Debra J. Nelson has been
appointed Senior Manager of the DaimlerChrysler Corporation where she is
responsible for Group Marketing, Diversity and North American Regional
Communications.  In this position, she is charged with issue management and
public relations for corporate marketing, advertising and diversity.  She also
manages DaimlerChrysler's five North American regional public relations
offices, which support corporate image and marketing activities.
    Prior to joining DaimlerChrysler, Nelson was Manager of Corporate
Diversity at Mercedes-Benz USA in Montvale, New Jersey, where she was
responsible for developing strategies and initiatives to support diversity
throughout the company's U.S. operations.  These activities embraced related
human resources, retail network, purchasing, training and marketing activities
at Mercedes-Benz.
    Nelson's automotive career began as a member of the start-up team for
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the company
responsible for launching the Mercedes-Benz M-Class sport utility vehicle.
While there, she managed the contract between the State of Alabama and
Mercedes-Benz and helped create and implement public affairs and community
relations activities.  She was also the chief architect of MBUSI's corporate
citizenship strategy.  During her tenure there, MBUSI received nearly a dozen
awards for its outreach activities.
    This summer Nelson was awarded the Outstanding Corporate and Community
Relations Award from the Human Resources Development Institute (HRDI) in
Chicago, Illinois.  She was cited for helping establish the partnership
between MBUSI and the KID One Transport System, a medical transportation
system serving poor and disadvantaged children in Alabama.  Also cited were
her efforts to help Mercedes Benz embrace diverse markets and her initiation
of the Stars Engaging People for Success (STEPS) mentor program at MBUSA.
STEPS was highlighted as an example of how a company can successfully recruit
college students and expose them to the automotive industry through a formal
corporate mentor program.
    Previously, Nelson was assistant director of university relations and
director of media relations for the University of Alabama System where she
worked with state and national media to communicate programs and policies of
the three-campus system.  Prior to joining Alabama's state university system,
Nelson worked for several news organizations in Alabama where she held various
community affairs and public affairs positions.
    She has held numerous civic appointments with organizations such as the
UNCF/College Fund, Salvation Army, Urban League, United Cerebral Palsy,
Leadership Birmingham, American Heart Association and the Association of Black
Women in Higher Education.
    Her most recent appointments as director include the Edward Davis
Education Foundation Board, The Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund Advisory
Board and the William Paterson University Advisory Board.
    Nelson is a graduate of the University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa.