Jim Mandato, regional account executive for DLL, will retire from the company at the end of the eyar after more than 40 years in the materials handling industry.

In his role at DLL, Mandato has supported DLL’s preferred financing partnership with Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America in the U.S. and has played a significant role in expanding the manufacturer’s footprint and deepening dealer relationships within his territory.

“I started my career as Jim’s inside sales rep way back in 1995,” said Eric Gabriel, director of Marketing and Dealer Services at MCFA. “He was always so generous with his time and knowledge and treated everyone with such respect. I literally learned the industry from Jim. Throughout the years, he has been a colleague, a counselor, a confidant, a mentor and most importantly, a good friend.”

Mandato started his career in 1972 as a management trainee at Syracuse Supply Company and went on to hold management positions with Nissan Industrial Equipment, World Omni Leasing and Associates Commercial Financing. He joined DLL in 2007 after seven years as a territory manager with CitiCapital.

Mandato will be succeeded by Jeff Potuznik, an account executive with more than 22 years of experience in the equipment financing industry. Potuznik began his career at DLL and has acquired experience across multiple areas of the organization, including business support, marketing and sales.

“Jim’s wealth of knowledge and industry expertise will certainly be missed,” said Rod Versteegh, president of DLL’s Construction, Transportation and Industrial Global Business Unit. “He has been an integral component of the DLL and MCFA partnership. There is no doubt that he’s leaving big shoes to fill, but I have every confidence that Jeff Potuznik will be up to the challenge. We remain committed to MCFA and will continue to provide the level of service they’ve come to expect from Jim.”