OESA’s De Koker Will Retire Next Year

Neil De Koker, president, CEO and founder of the Original Equipment Suppliers Assn., plans to step down from the group at the end of 2013. He is expected to announce his decision on Tuesday during the organization's annual conference in Detroit.

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

De Koker launched the group, which now has about 400 members, in 1998 to provide a forum and common 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.