ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Tecumseh Products Co. announced that James J. Connor has been named president and chief executive officer effective immediately. Connor has broad experience with manufacturing companies at the CFO and CEO levels and as a strategic adviser to a number of other companies. He most recently served as the chief financial officer for Tecumseh since January 2010.

Connor’s appointment as president and chief executive officer comes after an extensive search conducted with the assistance of Heidrick and Struggles, an executive search firm. Connor was recommended as one of the finalists during this process and Tecumseh’s board of directors subsequently selected Connor acknowledging the progress made over the past 18 months under his leadership both as CFO and more recently as the search for the CEO was being conducted.

Tecumseh said Connor brings operational, financial, and leadership skills to his new role. He served as a managing director of BBK Ltd. from 2005 through 2010 working with manufacturing companies to help them develop and implement their product, financial, and operating strategies and from 2000 to 2005 served as president and chief executive officer of Newcor Inc., which manufactures precision machined components and related products for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, and appliance industries.

Founded in 1934, Tecumseh Products Co. is a leading global manufacturer of hermetic compressors, condensing units and systems for use in residential and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning applications. Tecumseh is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich. For more information, visit www.tecumseh.com.

Publication date:07/25/2011