Charlotte, N.C.-based Champion Motor Graders appointed Marvin (Woody) Ferrell as its new vice president sales and marketing for Champion Motor Graders. Ferrell assumed his new position on July 25.

“Woody Ferrell is the kind of person with whom you make an immediate connection,” said Bryan Abernathy, executive vice president. “Woody’s experience and existing working relationship with the majority of our dealer network will enable him to really hit the ground running.”

Ferrell, a long-time dirt equipment expert, was most recently vice president of remarketing with Volvo Construction Equipment, where he successfully led various sales and marketing initiatives for several different Volvo Construction Equipment product lines in his eight years with that company.

In addition to Ferrell’s appointment, Gary Abernathy, president of Champion Motor Graders, announced that Bryan Abernathy is taking on the position of executive vice president for the company. According to Bryan, this move will allow him to work more closely with his father, as the company prepares for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

“I love this business and I love the industry we work in and we both felt that it was the right time for me to work closer with him and take advantage of his knowledge and expertise to run this business line as he would,” Bryan Abernathy said.

In conjunction with Bryan Abernathy, Ferrell will be developing individual business plans based around the existing relationship between Champion and each dealer with a view to future growth expectations. Dealers will be brought up to speed on the new Champion Production Class motor graders, which were unveiled at ConExpo 2008.

Bryan Abernathy will continue to work closely with all existing international dealer relationships, while at the same time giving Ferrell the opportunity to begin creating relationships with Champion’s international dealers, allowing the company to present an integrated approach to the market place and ensuring that his transition be part of any existing and future opportunities.

Champion Motor Graders has specialized in the development of motor graders and attachments for more than 25 years. The Champion line-up now includes seven basic models with operating weights from 12,000 to 24,000 pounds, featuring the full range of single-axle, tandem and all-wheel 4x4 and 6x6 drive systems. Champion continues to develop a growing range of specialized equipment for the road maintenance and paving industry.