Tenneco, based in Lake Forest in suburban Chicago, specializes in ride-control components and emission-control systems.
Mr. Nair has been Tenneco's COO since 2010. He also is stepping down from the board of directors, effective immediately.
At Johnson Controls, Mr. Kesseler led a $6 billion global business that supplied more than one-third of the world's conventional batteries to original equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket.
“With Hari's decision to retire, I am very pleased that Brian Kesseler is joining Tenneco in this critical role and I look forward to his leadership,” Tenneco CEO Gregg Sherrill said in a statement. “He brings excellent global experience and a proven record of driving growth, improving customer satisfaction and delivering shareholder value.”
Mr. Kesseler has been with Johnson Controls since 1994, the statement said.
He served in leadership roles in the company's automotive experience and building efficiency businesses before becoming president in 2013.
Mr. Kesseler also is a member of Johnson Controls' executive operating team and serves as the executive sponsor of its Global Manufacturing Operations Council.
Before joining Johnson Controls, Kesseler worked at Ford Motor Co. in North America assembly operations.
“He has outstanding experience and a proven track record,” Ms. Ostrander said. “He seems like a perfect fit for our company.”
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This report appeared on the website of Automotive News, a Detroit-based sister publication of Tire Business.
