James A. Yost has been promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer of Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., a new position at the Michigan-based manufacturer of automotive and commercial highway wheels, brakes, and powertrain components. Yost has been the company's v.p.-Finance and CFO since joining the group in 2002.

Hayes Lemmerz reports that Yost has strengthened the group's corporate finance team, improved its internal accounting controls, and helped to direct a recent equity offering and debt refinancing.

According to chairman, president, and CEO Curtis J. Clawson, "Jim is a key member of the Hayes Lemmerz leadership team and has had significant influence on the strategic and financial direction of the company. He also led the recent share rights offering and debt refinancing which bolstered our financial position" Clawson adds that the company will continue to rely on Yost for expertise and leadership in its "next phase of growth."

Yost joined Hayes Lemmerz in July 2002 after retiring from Ford Motor Co. in 2001 as v.p.-Corporate Strategy. With Ford over 27 years, he had been vice president and chief information officer; executive director-Corporate Finance; general auditor and executive director-Finance Process and Systems Development; finance director of Ford Europe; and controller of Autolatina (South America.)

Yost holds a B.S.E. in Computer Science from the Johns Hopkins University, and earned a M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Chicago.