FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Nissan Canada has appointed a new president to succeed Mark Grimm, who is retiring from the post after 26 years with the automaker.

Taking over as president of Nissan Canada is Allen Childs, who was previously vice president of parts and service for Nissan North America. Childs also assumes Grimm's spot as a member of the Management Committee — Americas.

Childs will be charge of all aspects of the automaker's Canadian operations.

"Mark has made a significant contribution to sales and marketing within Nissan, and we wish him our very best for a happy and healthy retirement," state Carlos Tavares, chairman of MC-A.

"As Allen assumes responsibility for Nissan in Canada we have high confidence that he will lead that team to continuous growth in the market," he added.

Childs has been with Nissan since 1990, when he took on the role of regional operations manager. Over the last two decades with the company, Childs has moved on to positions of increasing responsibility throughout sales and marketing.

Among his posts were vice president of sales and marketing for Nissan Canada as well as regional vice president for Nissan.

John Spoon takes over for Childs as vice president of parts and service after serving as regional vice president for Nissan's Central Region.

In other Canada-related moves, James Morton, the vice president of administration and finance for Nissan Canada, is taking Tom Lyons' roles as director of NMAC Financial Products. Lyons has been named director of NMAC Dealer Services.

Named to serve as director of finance for Nissan Canada was Jay Cook, who assumes Morton's former responsibilities.

The aforementioned moves are effective July 1, with the exception of Cook's, which will be announced soon.