Wabash SVP and COO Dustin Smith will resign Sept. 1 and provide advisory duties to the OEM through Dec. 1, the company said Monday.
The longtime company executive approved a transition agreement Monday. For purposes of the company’s executive severance plan, the parting of ways will be considered a termination without cause, a securities filing said.
Smith joined the company in 2007, serving in roles such as chief strategy officer, director of finance, director of manufacturing, VP of manufacturing and SVP of global operations.
“Dustin has been an invaluable part of our organization for 17 years, contributing greatly to Wabash’s growth and transformation,” President and CEO Brent Yeagy said in a statement. “His unwavering commitment, strategic vision and dedication have made a lasting impact, and his leadership has been instrumental in driving excellence across the entire organization.”
Smith is resigning less than a year since being appointed as COO on Dec. 8, 2023. Next month, he will remain employed as a non-executive senior advisor to provide transition services, per an agreement.
He’ll continue to be paid based on his annual base salary of $555,000 and be entitled to severance benefits — provided terms of the deal are met.
Amid the transition, the company announced several executive changes that will also take effect Sept. 1. They include:
- SVP and CFO Mike Pettit will begin a newly created position of SVP, chief growth officer;
- VP of Finance Patrick Keslin will be promoted to Pettit’s current role as SVP and CFO;
- VP of Global Operations Donald Winston will be promoted to SVP of global operations; and
- VP of Marketing Drew Schwartzhoff will be promoted to SVP of strategic marketing.
Yeagy lauded the promoted executives for consistently demonstrating “their ability to deliver results.” He also noted Smith’s crucial impact with the business and thanked him for his longtime service, noting his “collaborative spirit and genuine care for people.”
