Formerly director of sales, James Johnson was elevated to the post of vice president of business development and corporate sales at IMMI.

Johnson, a 19-year veteran at the commercial vehicle safety systems manufacturing and testing company based in Westfield, Ind., will partner with CEO Larry Gray to focus on new business and global strategy. IMMI's Safeguard division manufactures the Premier seat for the motorcoach and school bus activity sectors as well as long producing a line of flex, standard and integrated school bus seats and STAR restraint systems. IMMI also manufactures safety seating and equipment for fire trucks, ambulances and commercial vehicles.

“James Johnson’s visionary leadership at IMMI has been the driving force in the company’s development of new customers, new partners and new markets,” said CEO Larry Gray.  “During his 19-year tenure with IMMI, James has been instrumental in leading efforts to integrate advanced occupant protection on a wide range of commercial vehicles, from school buses to heavy trucks.”

Johnson worked closely with NHTSA to define testing methodology that validates the performance of seating products, especially the 2008 final rule requiring three-point lap/shoulder belts in small Type A school buses and guidelines for the voluntary installation of the same seat belts in larger school buses.