HIGH POINT, N.C. — Thomas Built Buses has promoted Ken Hedgecock to vice president of sales, marketing and service. Since joining Thomas Built Buses 18 years ago, Hedgecock has served as regional sales manager for the central and southeast regions, sales training manager, and director of national dealer sales.

“Ken knows this business inside out and has proven himself a very capable leader,” said John O’Leary, Thomas Built Buses president and CEO. “His broad experience with the company will greatly benefit our customers.”

Hedgecock replaces Bob Price, who recently acquired a majority interest in Carolina Thomas, the Thomas Built Bus dealer in North Carolina. The Greensboro-based company sells and services school, transit and shuttle buses with territorial responsibility for all of North Carolina.

Thomas Built Buses is the leading manufacturer of school buses in North America, with more than one third of the school bus market in North America. Thomas Built Buses is a member of The Freightliner Group, the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading manufacturer of class 3-8 vehicles. The Freightliner Group produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, American LaFrance and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. The Freightliner Group is a unit of DaimlerChrysler, the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer.