Auto giant Delphi plans leadership transition

GILLINGHAM, U.K.—Delphi Automotive PLC will embark on a leadership transition plan after president and CEO Rodney O’Neal announced plans to retire March 1, 2015.

Delphi chief financial officer and executive vice-president Kevin P. Clark will on Oct. 1, 2014, be named chief operating officer and succeed O’Neal as CEO and president upon his retirement next year.

O’Neal, 61, will remain in an advisory role until the end of 2015. Mark J. Murphy, formerly president, U.S. Industrial Gases, Praxair, Inc., is appointed CFO and executive vice-president, succeeding Clark.

Jack Krol, Delphi’s chairman of the board stated, “Rodney O’Neal has been an exceptional CEO in guiding Delphi’s transformation and positioning it as an industry leader. After successfully leading the company through its Chapter 11 restructuring, Rod took Delphi public with its IPO in 2011, generating significant shareholder value. With Rod at the helm, Delphi’s market capitalization has increased more than three-fold to $21 billion. We are extremely grateful for his invaluable contributions and look forward to his continued support in an advisory role.”

In his role as COO, Clark will continue to report to O’Neal and will be responsible for all business segments, as well as the Global Supply Management function.

Clark joined Delphi as CFO, became senior vice-president in 2012 and was named executive vice-president in 2013. He began his career in the automotive industry working in the finance departments of Chrysler Corp. and Federal Mogul Corp.