Promotions Support Kia’s U.S. Growth and Brand Enhancement Strategy

• Bill Peffer promoted to chief operating officer and executive vice president
• Russell Wager promoted to vice president of marketing

IRVINE, Calif., December 17, 2020 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced two executive-level promotions to support the fast-growing organization’s needs as its product portfolio, customer base and units in operation continue to expand. Both appointments are effective January 1, 2021.

Bill Peffer, who joined KMA in July 2017, has been named chief operating officer and executive vice president. Peffer will lead all customer facing functions – sales, marketing, and service – in the U.S., and will report to Sean Yoon, the president and CEO of Kia Motors America and Kia Motors North America. Under Peffer’s leadership as vice president of sales operations, KMA is on the cusp of achieving the highest retail sales total in company history through the development of a consistent and sustainable partnership with the dealer network.

"In the most difficult of circumstances, Kia’s U.S. sales have outperformed the industry throughout 2020 under Bill’s leadership,” said Yoon. “This promotion is well deserved, and with five all-new and significantly redesigned vehicles slated for introduction in 2021 Bill will play an increasingly important role in the growth and maturation of the Kia brand.”

Russell Wager, who joined KMA in July 2019, has been promoted to the position of vice president of marketing.  In this position, Wager will lead and unify the marketing operations, customer journey, and public relations areas for KMA.  As director of marketing operations, Wager forged a first-of-its-kind partnership with the 72^nd Emmy^® Awards telecast and played a key role in KMA’s Accelerate the Good pandemic response. Wager will report to Bill Peffer.

“Russell has instilled new energy into Kia’s U.S. marketing activities and played a significant role in driving more first-time Kia shoppers to our showrooms,” said Yoon. “With his commitment to innovation and disruption, Russell will continue improving perception as Kia’s next generation of world-class products come to market," said Yoon.