MONROE, Mich., March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) announced the appointments of Lois Boyd to vice president, Ford business unit, and John Kitts to vice president, DaimlerChrysler business unit.

Boyd, previously director, Ford business unit, joined Tenneco Automotive in 1997 from Aeroquip/Vickers, where she served in numerous sales and marketing positions, including director of North American original equipment, director of North American distribution and global director of market development.

Boyd is a graduate of Oakland University where she attained a bachelor's degree in business. She completed her post-graduate studies at Central Michigan University.

Kitts, previously executive director of the DaimlerChrysler business unit, joined Tenneco Automotive aftermarket group in 1987 as a territory manager in Portland, Ore. He later held positions in marketing, human resources and sales management, including the role of regional sales manager, NAPA, in Atlanta, Ga. Kitts has been with the North American original equipment division for two years, originally leading the General Motors and Volkswagen business units.

Kitts holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Carroll College and is a graduate of the Stanford Executive Management Program.

"The Ford and DaimlerChrysler relationships are important to our current and long-term success," said Tim Jackson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Tenneco Automotive North American Original Equipment. "We see opportunities for unprecedented partnering and future growth at both of these customers. Both John and Lois are key contributors to Tenneco Automotive, and their leadership will leave us perfectly poised for future success."

Tenneco Automotive is a $3.3 billion manufacturing company headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., with 24,000 employees worldwide. Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of ride control and exhaust systems and products, which are sold under the Monroe(R) and Walker(R) global brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac(R) and Reflex(TM) shock absorbers and struts, Rancho(R) shock absorbers, Walker(R) Quiet-Flow(TM) mufflers and DynoMax(TM) performance exhaust products, and Monroe(R) Clevite(TM) vibration control components.

SOURCE Tenneco Automotive