Mehran Rahbar, ACT's new chief operating officer
IOWA CITY, Iowa—ACT CEO, Jon Whitmore, has selected Mehran Rahbar to become the organization’s chief operating officer. Rahbar comes to ACT from Continental Automotive in Auburn Hills, Michigan where he served as senior vice president of engine systems global operations. He will now lead and integrate ACT’s Operations and Information Technology areas and oversee project management.
“We are enthusiastic about having Mehran become our new COO,” said Whitmore. “I’m very confident he will be a strong leader for our new strategic directions: putting people first, fostering a culture of innovation, using advanced technology, and working toward continuous improvement.”
Continental Automotive is one of the leading global automotive suppliers and employs about 87,000 people in more than 170 locations worldwide. Rahbar had been with Continental, and previously Siemens before it was acquired by Continental, for two decades in a variety of engineering, production management, and executive positions.
“ACT’s emphasis on customer service, excellence, and innovation are very appealing to me,” said Rahbar. “I am at a stage in my career when I really wanted to apply myself to a nonprofit organization that benefits so many people across the country and around the world. ACT has a wonderful reputation for being an education and workforce leader in service and I hope to build upon that record.”