Westport, Conn.-based Terex Corp. last week named George Ellis president, Terex Construction, effective immediately. He will report to Tom Riordan, Terex president and chief operating officer.

“George is extremely well versed in equipment manufacturing and was already leading the Roadbuilding portion of our Terex Construction operations,” said Riordan. ”In addition, his knowledge of and insight into the construction market, as well as his ability to lead change and improvement make him very well suited to lead Terex Construction back to a position of profitability.”

Ellis was most recently senior vice president, Terex Business System, with additional responsibilities leading the company’s Roadbuilding, Manufacturing Services and Health Safety & Environment organizations.

Ellis joined Genie Industries as a site director in 2000. After the Terex acquisition of Genie Industries in 2002, he became general manager of the Southaven operation of Terex Construction and later vice president and general manager of the Terex Utility group. Prior to joining Terex, Ellis held leadership positions at General Electric, the Pratt & Whitney division of United Technologies, and PPG Industries. He was also a consultant in the implementation of Toyota/lean systems.

Terex Corp. is a diversified global manufacturer with 2008 net sales of $9.9 billion. Terex operates in four business segments: Terex Aerial Work Platforms, Terex Construction, Terex Cranes, and Terex Materials Processing & Mining.