Joe Taylor retiring as chairman, CEO of Panasonic Corp. of North America

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Panasonic Corp. of North America will have a new chairman and CEO this spring, the Newark-based technology giant announced Tuesday.Panasonic Corp. of North America will have a new chairman and CEO this spring, the Newark-based technology giant announced Tuesday.

Joseph M. Taylor, the current chairman and CEO, is retiring effective April 1, the company parent, Japan-based Panasonic Corp., announced in a news release. Panasonic said Tom Gebhardt, president of the Georgia-based Panasonic Automotive Systems Co. unit, will take over the roles at that time.

“To have been part of this hundred-year-old global company has been an honor,” Taylor said in a prepared statement. “To lead Panasonic in North America, particularly as the first non-Japanese head, has been a privilege. I have had a great ride, led a huge business transformation, worked with and met wonderful people, been around the world and had an opportunity to play a role in the technology revolution.

“I never dreamed of such a life.”

Taylor has been chairman and CEO of Panasonic Corp. of North America for the past seven years, capping a 34-year career with the main American subsidiary of Panasonic Corp. He was the first non-Japanese executive to lead the company, and was instrumental in its move to Newark in 2013.

In addition, he helped the company shift its main focus from consumer electronics to business-to-business and business-to-government solutions. He was also the first American executive officer and managing executive officer with the parent company, Panasonic said.

“To finish this phase of my career knowing my successor is Tom Gebhardt makes it perfect,” Taylor said.

Gebhardt has been with Panasonic for 32 years, most recently leading the automotive systems unit since 2012 and overseeing its growth into the company’s largest and most dynamic North American business.

“I am honored to be chosen to lead this exciting company into the next phase of its growth,” he said in a statement. “I continue to be impressed by the dedication and knowledge of our employees, and I look forward to continuing to build our presence in this market so we can provide customers with the innovative solutions they have come to expect from Panasonic.”

Taylor will become vice chairman of the company, serving until year-end, and serve as a strategic adviser to California-based Panasonic Avionics Corp., and on the board of Missouri-based subsidiary Hussmann Corp.

“I want to thank Joe Taylor for his more than 34 years of service to Panasonic, his vision and unmatched leadership of Panasonic Corp. of North America,” Kazuhiro Tsuga, Panasonic Corp.’s president, said in a statement. “Panasonic is also grateful that Joe has agreed to help us position Panasonic Avionics Corp. and Hussmann Corp. for continued success.”

Taylor ranked No. 63 on the 2017 NJBIZ Power 100 list.

Scott Kirchner will take over for Gebhardt as president of Panasonic Automotive Systems, the company added.