About Us

Chief Executive Officer

As one of the most proven executives in the industry, Bill returned to AxleTech in March 2015 as Chief Executive Officer. He will lead AxleTech to a period of new growth into new markets and opportunities, while keeping strong customer relationships.

For the past five years, Bill has gained experience as the Vice President and General Manager of Dana Holding Corporation’s global on-highway and off-highway aftermarket business. He brings knowledge, networks, and relationships across all of AxleTech’s major OE and Aftermarket opportunities. Prior to his work at Dana, he was Vice President, Aftermarket for AxleTech International and Director of Business Development with Apexon, Inc.

Bill holds an engineering degree from the University of Michigan and an IMBA from the University of Chicago.

Vice President of Purchasing

As Vice President of Purchasing & Program Management, Tom is focused on aligning supply chain initiatives with operational and sales goals. He is also responsible for managing dedicated cost management resources to ensure best in class Total Cost of Ownership.

Prior to joining AxleTech, Tom spent more than seven years at Meritor in roles of increasing responsibility up to his last position as Global Commodity Manager for forgings within their purchasing organization. Prior to Meritor, Tom held positions related to production planning, materials management and purchasing with organizations including Lear Corporation, Pilot Industries and Ford Motor Company where he began his career.

Tom received his bachelors in Materials and Logistics Management with an emphasis in Purchasing from Michigan State University and an MBA from Oakland University.

Associate General Counsel and Senior Director, Contracts

In his role as Associate General Counsel and Senior Director, Contracts for AxleTech International LLC, Bill is responsible for legal, compliance, and management of contracts for AxleTech International LLC and its overseas subsidiaries. Bill provides legal support to all levels of management regarding corporate, commercial, IP, litigation management, compliance, and antitrust matters in North America, Europe, Asia and South America.

Before joining AxleTech, Bill held senior positions with several multi-national companies as well as leading government contractors, serving in a number of different in-house legal capacities, as well as Director of Compliance and Director of Contracts. These included companies such as Volvo, Atlas Copco, Reichhold Chemicals, and SRA International. Bill most recently served as Corporate Counsel and Director of Contracts for CAE USA, a leading government contractor specializing in flight simulators for military aircraft. Bill has over 25 years of experience negotiating complex transactions (US and cross-border), including government contracts, commercial agreements, Intellectual Property and licensing agreements; advising on and ensuring compliance with US and international laws and regulations, as well as handling employment and litigation matters on a global basis. Bill has extensive international experience and has lived in Germany and Sweden.

Bill received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Holy Cross College, and his Law Degree from Washington & Lee University.

Vice President of Business Development

Daniel is responsible for leading all OE business development activities for AxleTech's commercial and defense programs. He is an executive leader with extensive global experience in product development, operational management, and business development for technically driven specialty markets. 

Daniel is recognized for utilizing disciplined, cost effective processes that produce successful and innovative products serving competitive markets. He brings a unique vision, blending the latest business practices, technology, and traditional core engineering and manufacturing processes. Daniel has demonstrated success building and motivating teams and places a high value on diversity.

Prior to joining AxleTech, Daniel led product development and systems engineering at AM General. While at AM General, he expanded the HMMWV product line, maintained the uniquely engineered MV-1, the only specifically designed assessable vehicle made in the USA. He also led the engine and transmission engineering teams. Daniel also held roles of increasing responsibility at General Dynamics and ArvinMeritor.

Daniel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa, a Master degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University.

Vice President of Engineering

Jay is responsible for leading global engineering, which includes new product development, application design and analysis, and field services. The team focuses on aligning product offerings with customer requirements, ensuring quality standards are met, and supporting vehicle launches, while providing customers with unparalleled industry experience.

Jay joined AxleTech International in 2003 and has held roles of increasing responsibility in the Engineering group. Previously, he worked in engineering for American Axle, Meritor, and the U.S. Marine Corps.

Jay holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Eli Broad School of Management at Michigan State University.

Director of Business Development, Remanufacturing

Raji is responsible for leading the global business development effort for the remanufacturing business segment. Raji creates and develops programs and initiatives focused on providing clients with world class products and services in remanufacturing.

Raji is a 27-year veteran in the commercial vehicle industry. Prior to re-joining AxleTech, he served as General Manager of AXN Heavy Duty and led the company to a 50% increase in sales and return to profitability. Prior to AXN, he held positions with increasing responsibility in off-highway axle product application, design, and development, aftermarket operations management, business development, and strategy implementation at AxleTech. Raji developed a global business perspective from a European assignment and extensive work experience in Asia.

Raji holds a Bachelor’s of Science and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Detroit Mercy.

Vice President of International Operations

As President of AxleTech International SAS, Mathieu Fidel leads our St Etienne, France operations including manufacturing, aftermarket distribution and customer service.

Through senior management assignments over several industries spanning 24 years, he has demonstrated a proven ability to lead organizations through operational transformation. Mathieu has particular world class expertise in the areas of lean manufacturing, new product launch, and executing profitable plant growth in several different countries during his career.

Prior to AxleTech International, Mathieu served as Plant Manager over several plants for Electrolux's European Operations. In this role, Mathieu had full P&L responsibility for operations with total employment of over 1,000 employees and was presented Electrolux's Wolf Trophy in recognition of his being their best Plant Manager. Mathieu also had twelve years of progressively increased responsibilities working for Brandt, Thomson, and Clarion manufacturers.

Mathieu graduated with an engineering degree from ESIGE.

Chief Information Officer

As Chief Information Officer, Tom Heersma assumed AxleTech's global IT leadership to maximize efficiency through a results-oriented approach.

Tom brings a legacy of valuable industry experience from his career with Meritor/Rockwell where he served in a number of key roles in plant and corporate settings within information technology, operations, and supply chain. Those roles included Plant Manager, Integration Manager (plant restructuring), Regional IT Director, and ERP Program Director. Most recently, he held transformational roles in supply chain as General Manager, Global Supply Chain Management, and in information systems, as Senior Director, IS Business Solutions.

Tom earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Computing and Computer Electronics from the Wilfrid Laurier University. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Windsor.

Chief Financial Officer

Backhus was appointed Chief Financial Officer in September 2015 bringing over 20 years of accounting, finance, and business expertise to AxleTech.

Before joining AxleTech, Bakhus worked for Meritor where he held multiple director level positions within the organization, most recently as Senior Finance Director, Global Shared Services. Previous positions at Meritor include Finance Director O2C, Director Aftermarket Pricing, Director of Marketing and Business Development Aftermarket, and Controller/CFO Aftermarket.

Bakhus earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Windsor Business School and is a Certified Management Accountant.

Director of Business Development

Jacquie joined AxleTech as Director of Business Development in December of 2014. Jacquie is tasked with leading business case development and managing global strategic growth projects for the company.

Jacquie came to AxleTech from General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems where she had close connection with AxleTech as part of the Strategic Planning team at AxleTech’s previous parent company. During her 12 years with GD she had roles of increasing responsibility in Finance and Strategic Planning where she managed the planning process for multiple product lines, developed data driven business cases for large scale strategic initiatives, performed market and industry analysis in support of growth initiatives and lead mergers & acquisitions projects totaling more than $1B in total transaction value.

While with General Dynamics she was selected for, and successfully completed, the division’s year-long President’s Leadership Development Program. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Champlain College and an MBA from the University of South Carolina.

Vice President of Operations

As Vice President of Operations, Heather leads the deployment of strategic initiatives and business processes at all manufacturing and distribution locations. As an accomplished leader in Lean Manufacturing and Distribution, Heather brings unique skills to drive AxleTech to significant value creation.

Heather joined AxleTech in January 2015 from Acument Global Technologies, a privately-held fastener company, where she held a variety of executive roles of increasing responsibility in operations. Most recently, Heather served as Vice President of Supply Chain and Lean Enterprise. Prior to that, she worked at American Axle in production management and global lean systems implementation. She started her career at General Motors, where she excelled in a variety of engineering roles.

Heather was honored as valedictorian of Kettering/GMI with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering while specializing in automotive design. She also graduated from MIT with an M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from the Sloan School of Management, Leaders for Global Operations program.

Vice President of Human Resources, Legal, and EH&S

Theresa is responsible globally for all aspects of the HR, Legal and Environmental Health and Safety functions at AxleTech International. With over twenty-plus years of industry experience, Theresa is uniquely qualified in understanding the needs of a fast-growing company and the staffing and employee development challenges it faces.

Prior to joining AxleTech, Theresa served fifteen years at Dura Automotive Systems, Inc., a $1.5 billion global automotive supplier. She held the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, encompassing the Global functions of Human Resources, Legal, IT, and Security Operations. Before joining Dura Automotive Systems, Theresa was Director of Human Resources and Communications for a division of Lucas Industries of the UK. Earlier career experience includes progressively responsible Human Resource positions in multi-site manufacturing, and nuclear and coal fired power plant construction.

Theresa received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Siena Heights University, and an MBA from Lawrence Technological University. She also holds the designation of Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

Vice President of Global Aftermarket Sales

Robin brings over 20 years of relevant heavy duty drivetrain experience to AxleTech. In his current role he is responsible for all aspects of global marketing, product line management, program management and customer service. After many years in industry sales positions, Robin is extremely passionate about customer needs and actions required to enable AxleTech to remain the supplier of choice.

Prior to joining AxleTech Robin served as the North American sales leader for WABCO Holdings' Trailer, Aftermarket, and Off Highway business enterprises. He also led sales and marketing for Marmon-Herrington, a Berkshire Hathaway Company. While at Marmon-Herrington, as VP of sales and marketing as well as general manager of the OE segment, the company grew dynamically in the defense market space, without losing focus on the core commercial segments. He started his heavy duty career in a variety of roles at Meritor Automotive (formerly Rockwell) in aftermarket marketing, project management, and sales leadership. Robin has extensive relationships in the heavy duty aftermarket business as well as a strong reputation at specialty vehicle OEMs and defense vehicle manufacturers.

Robin received his Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and his MBA from Indiana University.