Hiroshi (Howard) Kitahara has been Executive Vice President of DENSO International America, Inc. in Southfield, Mich., U.S.A., since July 1, 2003.

Previously, he was General Manager of the America Team, International Business Planning Department, at DENSO Corporation in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan. This team is responsible for the business strategy and planning of DENSO's North and South American operations.

From 1996 to 2002, Kitahara was General Manager of the Secretarial Department at DENSO Corporation and functioned as chief assistant to Hiromu Okabe, worldwide President & C.E.O.

Kitahara worked in the U.S.A. from 1992 to 1996 at DENSO's North American headquarters, DENSO International America.   As Senior Manager of the Corporate Planning Department, he was responsible for the business strategy and planning of the North American DENSO Group companies.

Joining DENSO Corporation in 1978, his first positions were in the Finance & Accounting Department, Corporate Planning Department, and Internal Audit Department.

Kitahara has a B.A. in Business Administration from Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan.