Norm Bafunno is senior manufacturing executive, TMNA, in Plano, Texas. He is responsible for North America Safety, Environmental, Facilities, Internal Logistics, and Powertrain Manufacturing & Engineering.

He also advises Takefumi Shiga, executive vice president, Production Engineering and Manufacturing, on the company’s manufacturing transformation strategy.

In his previous role as leader of the One Toyota North American Competitiveness Project, Bafunno lead a team of four regional executives representing Research & Development, Sales & Marketing, Planning & Finance, and Manufacturing in creating and implementing actions to improve North America’s global competitiveness.

Prior to relocating to Texas, Bafunno was president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI), located in Princeton, Indiana. Bafunno joined Toyota in 1997 as part of the Indiana plant startup team in the role of general manager, production. Over the following 13 years he held the titles of senior vice president for production, manufacturing planning, administration and quality.

Before he was named President at TMMI, Bafunno served as vice president of Production Engineering at Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA) in Erlanger, Kentucky, supporting Toyota’s North American manufacturing facilities.

Prior to joining Toyota, Bafunno spent 14 years with General Motors in the truck manufacturing group. His engineering and management experience included vehicle body weld, paint and assembly operations.

Bafunno holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and a master’s degree in management from Northwestern University.

He has been an active member in community organizations. He currently serves on the board of directors for the National Foreign Trade Council in Washington DC and for the North Texas American Red Cross in Dallas, Texas. He is a past Chairman of the Board of the Indiana Manufacturers Association, the American Red Cross of Southwestern Indiana, the Evansville Sports Corporation, the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra.

Favorite quote: “Painstaking preparation, unwavering commitment, flawless execution.”

Books that shaped my life: Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy; Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Vehicle I’m driving now: Toyota Highlander

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