WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. -

Late last week, BMW Group shifted its manager of pre-owned sales into another executive role as the result of the unexpected death of one of its vice presidents.

Russ Lucas’ new position effective Oct. 1 is as the automaker’s new vice president for the Eastern Region. The company indicated Lucas’ overall responsibilities will include sales, marketing, aftersales and dealer development activities in the 12-state Northeast region, which includes the New York metro area. The Northeast region is the largest sales area for BMW of North America with 93 BMW and 24 Mini dealers.

The decision to place Lucas in this position also allows the company to fill a void left by the tragic death of Jack Pitney. BMW had tapped Pitney for the VP slot, but he died while on vacation at his farm last month.

Executives recalled that Lucas joined BMW in 1985. He first served as district parts manager in Atlanta and then as area sales manager in OEM’s Southern region.

In 1997, the automaker moved Lucas to regional aftersales manager in the Southern region where he directed a team of field representatives and instructors in expanding the company’s aftersales business. Since April 2009, BMW said Lucas has held the role of pre-owned sales manager responsible for a critical and growing part of BMW Group business in the U.S.

New VP of Marketing

Meanwhile, Pitney’s former position as vice president of marketing for BMW of North America will be handled by Dan Creed, currently vice president of aftersales. Like Lucas, Creed’s appointment is effective Oct. 1.

Creed came on board with the automaker in 1996 as training manager for marketing and sales at BMW Canada. The company appointed him as national marketing manager for BMW Canada in 1997 and two years later shifted him to national sales manager.

He was then moved to the United States and BMW assigned Creed to lead the Southern region of BMW North America in 2005. In this role he was responsible for 123 dealers located in 11 states and Puerto Rico.

In his current role as aftersales vice president, the company explained Creed is responsible for all service, parts, accessories and lifestyle merchandise for the BMW and Mini brands in the United States.

“Dan Creed is clearly the right person to step into the role because he has serious marketing, sales and aftersales experience and has worked closely with our retail network in developing effective relationships,” stated Jim O’Donnell, president of BMW of North America.

“Likewise, Russ has shown impressive results in the field and in his previous regional experience. He brings the fresh ideas and creativity needed to lead sales in our largest region,” O’Donnell added.