WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. -

BMW Canada has a new leader.

Hans Blesse assumed the role on Tuesday after the company announced former president and chief executive officer of the BMW Group Canada Eduardo Villaverde was leaving the company.

Villaverde had taken on the role in September 2011 after running the company’s operations in Spain.

Blesse has been with the company for 27 years and has served in the role of vice president of BMW Motorrad USA since 2012.  Kris Odwarka succeeds Blesse as VP, BMW Motorrad USA.

“Blesse has achieved success in sales, marketing, aftersales and training with the BMW Group around the world, including Canada, Spain, Germany and the United States,” the company said.

Interestingly, Blesse began with the company in 1987 with what was then the newly founded BMW Canada sales subsidiary and now is returning as its leader.

 “I want to thank Eduardo for his years of service to BMW Group and we all wish him well in his new endeavors,” said Ludwig Willisch, chairman and CEO of BMW Group Region Americas. “For Hans Blesse, his new role in Canada will be a homecoming of sorts and I know he will do well in our very important Canadian market. Kris Odwarka has a great passion for motorcycles and he is excited about leading BMW Motorrad and we are expecting great results.”

The automaker’s Canadian arm has experienced a bit of leadership fluctuation over the past few years.

Back in 2009, Franz Jung took the job, and left in 2011 to take over the company’s Italian operations. Manfred Braunl then took the position but only held it for six months before leaving and being replaced by Villaverde.