Ronald Slaats appointed CEO of De Lage Landen International B.V.
Karel Schellens to retire per May 31st 2009. Jan Kusters takes Ronald Slaats’ place in Executive Board of De Lage Landen.
Ronald Slaats is to be the new Chief Executive Officer of De Lage Landen International B.V. as of June 1st 2009. He will succeed Karel Schellens who will retire from the company per May 31st 2009. Karel Schellens is proud that one of his own team members will be taking over his role: ‘Ronald has been with De Lage Landen for over 20 years. He’s extremely knowledgeable about our company, our customers and the markets we operate in. His vast experience, knowledge and management style will help him guide De Lage Landen through these turbulent times. In addition, his commitment to optimizing our relation with our customers, our partners is unparalleled. I am certain he won't settle for anything less but true customer connectivity.’
Since he started at De Lage Landen, Ronald Slaats (47) has held several senior management positions including Commercial Director of De Lage Landen Factors S.P.A. in Italy and Managing Director of De Lage Landen Leasing GmbH in Germany. In 1999 Ronald Slaats was appointed Chief Operating Officer of De Lage Landen Financial Services in the United States. In 2002 he was appointed Chairman of De Lage Landen Vendor Finance America Division and joined the Executive Board. In 2007 he returned to De Lage Landen’s head office in the Netherlands, to take in the position of Chief Commercial Officer for Banking Services and Car Lease.
Ronald Slaats’ former position in the Executive Board will be assumed by Jan Kusters. He will take up his new role per June 1st 2009. Karel Schellens: ‘Jan has already had an impressive career within De Lage Landen. He successfully chaired our then car lease unit Translease. He improved sales via Rabobank and managed to achieve the number one rating in customer satisfaction in the Netherlands. He excels in building bridges and connecting people and radiates confidence. Not a bad trait in times like these. He is a real asset to the Executive Board.’
Jan Kusters (44) joined De Lage Landen in 1999 as Commercial Director, De Lage Landen Translease B.V. As of 2004, he assumed roles of successively Vice President of the business unit Financial Institutions and President of Global Business Unit Financial Institutions. More information about area’s of responsibility of both Ronald Slaats and Jan Kusters is not yet available. The Executive Board will reach a decision on this matter in the months ahead.
