NFI Group Inc. has tapped John Proven as the new President of NFI Parts and ARBOC Specialty Vehicles.
Proven started his new role in June, reporting directly to NFI’s President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Soubry. He succeeds Brian Dewsnup, who became NFI’s Chief Financial Officer on Feb. 29.
Proven brings to NFI over 20 years of experience in global markets and leadership of geographically diverse operations in manufacturing environments.
Most recently, Proven was President and CEO of CEL Group of Companies. CEL is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and its brands Conviron and Argus Control Systems Ltd. design and manufacture plant growth chambers, rooms, and environmental control systems.
He joined Conviron in 2010 as Chief Operating Officer. He was instrumental in acquiring and integrating Argus Controls and establishing after-market offerings to drive recurring revenue. Proven started his career in media and venture capital industries, including the position of Vice President of Investments for GrowthWorks Capital.
Active in community
“His innovative mindset and proven track-record will be critical to advancing NFI’s North American aftermarket business and (ARBOC’S) market-leading low-floor cutaway and medium-duty bus offerings.” said Paul Soubry, President and Chief Executive Officer for NFI Group.
Proven holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in finance and marketing from the University of Manitoba and obtained his Chartered Accountant designation in 1994. He is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and a graduate of the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program.
He is active in the Winnipeg community as a director of Cerebra Medical Inc. and Red River Mutual Insurance, a member of the United Way of Winnipeg Major Donor Cabinet, and a past chair of the Associates of the I.H. Asper School of Business.
With over 8,750 employees in 10 countries, NFI is a leading global bus manufacturer under the brands New Flyer, MCI, Alexander Dennis Limited, Plaxton, ARBOC, and NFI Parts. NFI supports its installed base of over 100,000 buses and coaches around the world.
