Toyota Names Jason Puckett as President of Huntsville Engine Plant

Jason Puckett, who currently serves as vice president, Administration at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, has been named president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama in Huntsville.

The Huntsville plant assembles four-, six- and eight-cylinder engines – the only Toyota facility to assemble all three engine styles.

Puckett succeeds David Finch, who will return to Toyota South Africa Motors as senior vice president, Manufacturing. Finch has been instrumental in leading the Huntsville plant’s $288 million expansion effort, including a new 150,000 square-foot V6 engine assembly line, and the creation of 450 jobs.

Puckett started his career with Toyota in 1997 as a specialist in Assembly preceding TMMI’s start of production. He has held a variety of roles in Indiana including vice president, Manufacturing; general manager, Bodyweld and Stamping; and general manager, Production Control. Puckett spent two years at Toyota’s manufacturing and engineering headquarters as general manager, Corporate Strategy, responsible for overall manufacturing strategic initiatives in North America.

David Fernandes, the former president of the Huntsville facility who is now senior vice president, Manufacturing, Toyota South Africa Motors, will become president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi. The plant just north of Tupelo assembles one of Toyota’s core vehicles, the Corolla.

In this role, Fernandes will be responsible for all manufacturing and administration functions.