FreightCar America appointed Matthew S. Kohnke as chief financial officer, vice president of finance and treasurer, effective February 29.

Kohnke will succeed Charles F. Avery, Jr., who left the company by mutual consent on January 22 to pursue new business opportunities. Joseph E. McNeely, president and CEO, will serve as the interim CFO, vice president of finance and treasurer until Kohnke joins the company.

Kohnke has 25 years of experience in finance and accounting and joins the company from Dorman Products, a publicly traded supplier of replacement parts and fasteners to the automotive aftermarket, where he has served since 2002. He first served as Dorman’s vice president and corporate controller. In 2011, he assumed the position of Dorman’s CFO.

Prior to joining Dorman, Kohnke spent 10 years in public accounting at Arthur Andersen.

“Matt will be a great fit with our executive team. The financial and leadership experience he brings will serve the company well as we continue to strive for success in a dynamic competitive and economic environment,” McNeely said. “On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank Chip Avery for his contributions to the company, and wish him well as he pursues new opportunities.”

FreightCar America manufactures railroad freight cars, supplies railcar parts and leases freight cars through its JAIX Leasing Company subsidiary.