Okuma Corporation’s board of directors has approved the promotion of Takeshi (Tad) Yamamoto to chairman and CEO of Okuma America, a position that has been vacant since Kirk Kitagawa returned to Okuma Corporation Japan (Nagoya, Japan) in 2008.

Mr. Takeshi worked in operations planning from February 1994 to July 2002 before returning to Japan. He rejoined the company’s American division as executive vice president and operating officer in July 2008.

Mr. Takeshi is tasked with leading Okuma America (Charlotte, North Carolina) through the economic recovery period and will rely heavily on the support of Larry Schwartz, president and COO, as well as the rest of the executive team.