About John W. Mendel

John W. Mendel retired April 1, 2017 as the Executive Vice President, Automobile Division, of American Honda Motor Company. He joined American Honda in November 2004 as Senior Vice President, Auto Operations where he oversaw all marketing, public relations, logistics and product development activities. He was promoted to Executive Vice President, Automobile Division where he added all network and retail operations to his previous responsibilities and served in that position until April 2017.

Prior to Honda, Mr. Mendel worked for Ford Motor Company from June 1976 until November 2004 serving in both field and general office positions in the US and Europe. He most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Mazda North America. Mr. Mendel has a B.A. in business and economics from Austin College and an M.B.A. from Duke University.

During his Honda tenure, Mendel served on the American Honda and Honda Finance Boards of directors as well as the Honda North American Regional Operating Board.

Since retiring, he and his family have started Devils Creek Distillery in Mammoth Lakes, CA (his home) and also currently serves as a director on the boards of True Car in Santa Monica, LKQ in Chicago and Dealer Tire in Cleveland.

Mendel has substantial corporate development, business strategy, retail network experience gained as an executive in the automotive industry over the past 44 years. He is an avid outdoorsman enjoying skiing, hiking, fly-fishing, camping and now, making great barrel aged spirits.