CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 1, 2026 — The Okuma Corporation announced the appointment of Mr. Dominick Patriarca as president and COO of its Americas subsidiary, Okuma America Corporation (OAC). This appointment is in recognition of Mr. Patriarca's contributions since joining the organization and positions him as the successor to Mr. Jim King, who has served as president, CEO and COO of the Americas division since 2011.
While considering executives for the president and chief operations officer role for the Americas' division, Dr. Atsushi Ieki, Okuma Corporation's global president and CEO, stated, "Company leadership pursued candidates with extensive experience in strategic vision, leadership, global operations and a track record of driving corporate growth. Dominick was the clear choice for the role." Mr. Patriarca joined Okuma in August of 2025. Prior to joining Okuma, he held strategic management positions at Gleason Corporation, a manufacturer of CNC gear machines and technologies and Lincoln Electric, an industrial welding and automation company. He also gained extensive international experience as an expatriate with several operational assignments in Europe and was responsible for Asian businesses in key developing markets. In addition to his extensive experience in industrial manufacturing, Mr. Patriarca holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Chemical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University.
Reflecting on his new role, Dominick shared the following sentiment: "I am honored to assume this role and excited to help lead Okuma into its next chapter. Building on a strong foundation, I look forward to working with our employees, customers, distributors and partners to advance innovation, strengthen relationships and create lasting value."
Mr. Patriarca will succeed Mr. Jim King, who served as president, CEO and COO of Okuma America Corporation, and served as a senior officer for Okuma Japan, the parent company of Okuma America Corporation. He will continue to serve as CEO, senior officer of Okuma Japan, and in an advisory role to Mr. Patriarca during a transition phase.
Mr. Jim King shared the following reflections regarding the transition: "Over the past 16 years, it has been a tremendous honor to serve as part of the leadership team and to be actively engaged in the manufacturing industry. During that time, I have witnessed firsthand the innovation, resilience and dedication that make our industry such an important driver of economic growth and opportunity. As I reflect on my journey, I am more optimistic than ever about the future. The manufacturing industry is poised for tremendous success and this leadership transition marks an exciting new chapter. Dominick is a dynamic and visionary leader who brings energy, passion and a deep commitment to our customers, employees and partners. We have every confidence in his ability to lead the organization forward and I am excited to see the continued success and growth that will be achieved under his leadership."
About Okuma America Corporation
Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales, marketing, engineering and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world-leading manufacturer of CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, controls and automation systems. The company was founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan, and is the industry's only single-source provider of CNC machines, drives, motors, encoders, spindles and automation systems, all manufactured by Okuma. The company designs its own CNC controls that drive each machine tool's functionality. In 2014, Okuma launched the Okuma App Store, a centralized online marketplace for machine tool apps and related content. Along with its extensive distribution network (largest in the Americas), and Partners in Technology network of enhanced manufacturing technologies, Okuma is committed to helping users gain competitive advantages through the open possibilities of machine tools and automation systems today and into the future.
