ANN ARBOR, MI-Tecumseh Products Co. has appointed James J. Connor to the role of president and CEO, effective immediately. Connor has broad experience with manufacturing companies at the CFO and CEO levels and as a strategic adviser to numerous other companies. He most recently served as the chief financial officer for Tecumseh Products Co. since January 2010.

Connor's appointment comes after an extensive search conducted with the assistance of Heidrick and Struggles, a nationally recognized executive search firm. Connor was recommended as one of the finalists during this process and Tecumseh's Board of Directors subsequently selected Connor acknowledging the progress made over the past eighteen months under his leadership both as CFO and more recently as the search for the CEO was being conducted.

Connor brings operational, financial and leadership skills to his new role. He served as a managing director of BBK Ltd. from 2005 through 2010 working with manufacturing companies to help them develop and implement their product, financial and operating strategies and from 2000 to 2005 served as president and chief executive officer of Newcor Inc. which manufactures precision machined components and related products for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural and appliance industries.