OESA Chief De Koker to Retire in Late 2013

Neil De Koker, president, CEO and founder of the Original Equipment Suppliers Assn., tells Automotive News he plans to step down from the group at the end of next year. He is expected to announce his decision today during the group's annual conference in Detroit.

De Koker says he decided to declare his retirement plans well in advance to give OESA plenty of time to recruit a replacement. A search committee has been formed, he adds.

De Koker formed the group, which now has about 400 members, in 1998 to provide a forum and unified voice for the supplier industry.

His career also included 23 years at General Motors and stints at Magna International and the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Assn. of Canada.