Kohler Engines names new president

KOHLER, Wis. – Following Tom Cromwell’s appointment to the Group President at Kohler Co.’s Power Group last month, the company has promoted Brian Melka to the role of President – Engines Americas.

Melka assumes full responsibility for the engines business in the Americas region, establishing strategic direction, managing operational demands, driving growth and profitability objectives, and attracting and developing talent. In addition, he will have worldwide responsibility for new product development, marketing and overall growth of the gasoline engines product lines. Melka joined Kohler in 2013 in the role of vice president.

Prior to Kohler, he served in numerous senior capacities at Rexnord Corporation, where he most recently held the role of vice president – global mining and product management. Before joining Rexnord he spent more than 12 years working for various Textron businesses including Greenlee Textron and Jacobsen Textron.

Melka holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin, an MBA from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater and is a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt.