Mitsubishi Executive Leaves for Dealer Chain

Kevin Ormes, a high-ranking executive at Mitsubishi Motors Sales of America Inc., has left the Japanese auto importer and distributor to become head of retail operations for the Ramsey Automotive Group dealership chain in Ramsey, N.J.

Ormes, 49, joined Cypress-based Mitsubishi in 1982, when the company was just forming and had not yet started selling cars. He was widely thought to be the heir-apparent to former Mitsubishi Chief Operating Officer Richard Recchia until last year. But Recchia, now corporate vice chairman, brought in General Motors of Canada executive Pierre Gagnon as his replacement.

Ormes, who left Mitsubishi in January, spent the past year as group vice president for parts, service, engineering, distribution and dealer issues. He reportedly had been negotiating with Ramsey Group--owner of a major Mitsubishi dealership--for several months and has said he did not leave Mitsubishi because of Gagnon’s elevation.