Oil Patch Bits: Motion Industries Chairman Bill Stevens retires

After 37 years at Motion Industries - a leading distributor of industrial maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts - Chairman Bill Stevens retired effective March 1.

Tim Breen, named president and COO in 2013, then president and CEO in 2014, succeeds Stevens to lead the company. The two have worked closely together during the last few years to ensure a smooth transition.

Stevens began his career with Motion Industries in 1978 as director of human resources. After several promotions to various other roles, he was named president and COO before becoming president and CEO in 1997. With Stevens at the helm, Motion Industries’ sales grew from $1.85 billion in 1997 to $4.8 billion in 2014.

Stevens has personally received a number of distinguished awards, including 1997 and 2006 Genuine Parts Company Manager of the Year, and the 2014 Bearing Specialists Association Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been a BSA member since 1989 and has served in many capacities. Stevens has also been an active member of the Power Transmission Distributors Association for many years, as well as serving on numerous boards of both for-profit and nonprofit organizations in the Birmingham area.