TORRANCE, CA—Toyota has promoted Mike Goss to vice president of external affairs and communications for Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America. His responsibilities include messaging, media relations, speechwriting and executive support; issues management; community and local government relations; and philanthropy and visitor’s centers.

In this new role, Goss will also oversee PR for 10 component and assembly manufacturing sites and the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., which has responsibility for research and development, design and engineering. 

In addition, Steve Curtis was promoted to the newly created position of vice president of corporate communications for North America.  Curtis is responsible for executive services and internal communications; marketing communications; digital and social media channels and content; media relations; investor and stakeholder relations; and policy communications. He oversees teams based in California, New York and Washington, D.C.

In alignment with the company’s “Total Toyota” diversity initiative, Patricia Pineda has been named vice president of Hispanic business strategy for North America, having most recently served as the head of the Toyota USA Foundation. And Jim Colon, vice president of product communications for Toyota Motor Sales, USA, has been named vice president of African American business strategy for North America.

“By 2030, 88 percent of U.S. population growth will be from multicultural consumers,” says Julie Hamp, group vice president and chief communications officer for Toyota North America. “Pat and Jim’s leadership will ensure Toyota’s outreach and relationships with these important communities will continue to grow.”