Chihiro (“Chris” ) Shirai, Chairman, CEO and Board Director of Hitachi Capital America Corp. (“HCA”), announced that effective April 1,2016, William H. Besgen, HCA’s Vice Chairman and Board Director, has decided to relinquish his current positions and will assume the position of Senior Advisor/ Vice Chairman Emeritus for HCA. In addition to his ongoing responsibilities as Senior Advisor, Bill will continue to represent HCA on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Equipment Finance and Leasing Association, Washington, DC, for the remainder of his term, ending October, 2016.
In announcing the transition, Shirai stated, “Bill Besgen has made an enormous contribution to Hitachi Capital since he established this company in the US as EVP & COO in 1990. Bill started with $6 million in capital and 3 employees and grew the company to over $2 billion in assets with over 200 employees in the US and Canada. Bill has laid the groundwork for HCA’s continued success in North America. As we conclude our 26th fiscal year on March 31,2016 the profit before tax this year alone will be 50% more than FY 2014, all with substantially the same people and businesses. This is a realization of past investments in the company and a great accomplishment by all HCA employees both in the US and Canada.”
Shirai continued, “Bill has successfully transitioned the day- to- day responsibilities of HCA to Ryan Collison, President, COO and Board Director. Ryan has worked with Bill in various senior operating capacities since joining HCA from GE Capital 10 years ago, first as SVP/CIO and then SVP/CCO before becoming President/COO and Board Director in April, 2015. Ryan will also become the President & CEO of Hitachi Capital Canada Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HCA, assuming Bill’s position there as well as his directorship role on the Canada company board and director position for CLE.” “We look forward to Ryan continuing the expansion of HCA’s presence in North America and we have aggressive growth plans for the company in the next three years and beyond.”
“We want to express our thanks for all Bill has done in making HCA what it is today, and we look forward to his continued guidance over this upcoming year in his new role as Senior Advisor/Vice Chairman Emeritus.”
“I also want to wish Ryan much success in the continued growth and expansion of HCA in the Americas.”