LG Electronics USA Realigns Operations to Maximize Efficiencies, Expertise

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of a global reorganization designed to speed decision making and maximize efficiencies, LG Electronics today announced organizational changes in the United States, refocusing operations on key business units.

Wayne Park has been named President of LG Electronics USA, Inc. (LGEUS), in addition to his broad regional responsibilities. A 28-year LG veteran, Park has been head of LG Electronics North America since January. Current LGEUS President James Shad is leaving the company next month. Shad joined LG in 2008 as Executive Vice President.

Park announced the reorganization, which includes establishing separate U.S. sales and operations organizations for the Home Entertainment and Home Appliance business units.

Jay Vandenbree has been named head of the LGEUS Home Entertainment business unit. Vandenbree has been Senior Vice President, Sales, for LGEUS since May 2010. He joined LG in September 2009 as Senior Vice President, U.S. Go-to-Market Operations. Previously, in his 23-year career at Sony Electronics, Vandenbree held key sales operations positions, most recently President of Consumer Sales since 2006.

Sam Kim has been named head of the LGEUS Home Appliance business unit. An LG veteran since 1988, Kim's extensive North American experience includes serving as head of the U.S. OEM Appliance Division, as well as key product management positions in the U.S. and Canada. Since January, Kim has served as North American Regional Business Leader for refrigerator products.

The existing sales and sales operations functions will be redeployed within these business units reporting to Kim and Vandenbree respectively.

In other management changes, Y.K. Cho, currently Regional Business Leader for LG North America Business Solutions, will lead the LGEUS Commercial Displays business unit. Commercial Products Vice Presidents Ron Snaidauf (hospitality) and Jeff Dowell (digital signage) will report to Cho. James Lee will lead the LGEUS Air-Conditioning and Energy Solutions business unit, with Solar Vice President Geoff Slevin reporting to him.

"This reorganization aligns with LG's drive for achieving success, which includes a commitment to uphold our culture of innovation paired with a business strategy focusing on our customers' ever-changing needs," said Park. "Change allows our company to grow and challenges us to achieve that success."

As LG streamlines its North American regional operations, the company will continue to focus on efficiencies through various shared service opportunities across the region. Senior executives Peter Reiner (Marketing), Ron Kitlas (Human Resources), BK Yoon (B2B OEM), and JD Han (Administration) will lead region-wide initiatives for their respective functions.

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances and business solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.LGusa.com.

SOURCE LG Electronics USA, Inc.