Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leading independent designer and manufacturer of school buses, announced the appointment of Jeff Taylor as CFO, effective June 1, 2020.

After having served as Blue Bird’s Chief Financial Officer for more than eight years, Phil Tighe will be stepping down from that role effective June 1, 2020. Phil’s employment will continue until June 30, 2020, during which time he will support the transition of his responsibilities.

“Phil has been an invaluable member of the senior leadership team,” said Phil Horlock, President and CEO of Blue Bird. “During Phil’s tenure we became a publicly-traded company, we achieved significant growth in revenue and profitability, we improved our cost structure and reduced our breakeven point, and we strengthened our balance sheet substantially. I am pleased that Phil has agreed to continue to advise the Company as a consultant beginning on July 1, 2020. In this role, Phil will work closely with me and the leadership team on strategic matters and special topics.”

Jeff Taylor is an exceptionally well-qualified candidate to succeed Phil Tighe with over 20 years of experience providing financial leadership to publicly-traded companies. Most recently Jeff served as Chief Financial Officer at Wabash National Corporation, a $2.2 billion Indiana-based company that designs, engineers and manufactures tractor trailers. In addition, Jeff has extensive experience in investor relations and information services and he will have responsibility for these important areas at Blue Bird.