Blue Bird Corporation Announces Key Leadership Changes

MACON, Ga. — Blue Bird Corporation announced it has appointed Matthew Stevenson as president of the company, effective July 1, 2021. Stevenson is expected to succeed Philip Horlock as CEO, who has elected to retire from the company, no later than Nov. 1, 2021.

With the July 1 leadership change, Horlock, president and CEO since April 2011, will step down as president, but will continue as CEO until Stevenson’s planned appointment to the position later this year. In addition, from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2022, Horlock will assume a senior-advisor role in a consulting capacity for Stevenson and the company and remain a director until his term ends in 2023. These actions and timing allow for a smooth transition for the leadership change.

The company also announced that Tom Roberts, its chief administrative officer since 2016, will retire on Oct. 31, 2021, and will not be replaced.

“We are excited to welcome Matt to the Blue Bird Team,” said Kevin Penn, chairman of the board of Blue Bird Corporation. “Matt has a strong background as a business leader who drives growth and profitability, and with his extensive commercial-vehicle experience, he is a great fit for Blue Bird. Under Phil’s leadership, Blue Bird grew sales from $550 million to over $1 billion, delivered more than 10 points of market share growth, established itself as the unquestioned industry leader in alternative-fuel powered buses and became a publicly traded company in 2015. In addition, Phil’s strong commitment to recruiting key senior leadership has strengthened our ability to build on our recent success. The board looks forward to Phil’s continued contribution to the company and on the board.”

Earlier in his 20-plus year career, Stevenson held various leadership roles in the commercial vehicle industry, including president and general manager of Meritor WABCO and executive positions at Bridgestone Americas Inc., Meritor, Inc., and Daimler Trucks North America, LLC. More recently, Stevenson served in various capacities, including as an independent advisor for the public company Hyliion, Inc., a commercial electric powertrain provider, and was the founder of National Pool Partners GP Inc. Prior to that, he was president of Terminix Residential, the largest subsidiary of ServiceMaster Global Holdings Inc., a Fortune 1000 Company.