# Derek Maunus

> Derek Maunus is the President and CEO of GILLIG LLC, America's oldest surviving bus manufacturer, founded in 1890 and now headquartered in Livermore, California. He joined GILLIG in 2011 and rose through roles in aftermarket parts and manufacturing before being appointed CEO in 2018. Under his leadership, GILLIG has expanded its clean-energy portfolio - including battery electric, hybrid, CNG, and hydrogen fuel cell buses - and executed a complex relocation from Hayward to a new 600,000 sq ft solar-powered facility in Livermore. With roughly 1,100 employees and annual revenue near $325M, GILLIG holds significant market share in North American heavy-duty transit bus manufacturing.

- **Role:** President and CEO at GILLIG LLC
- **Organizations:** GILLIG LLC, Henry Crown and Company, Mesirow Financial
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** MBA, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Bachelor of Science in Finance, University of Iowa
- **Known for:** Led GILLIG's complex three-year relocation from Hayward to a new 600,000 sq ft solar-powered facility in Livermore, CA, preserving 900+ skilled manufacturing jobs in California, Oversaw production of GILLIG's 100th battery electric bus in 2021, a major milestone in American clean transit manufacturing, Secured five-year union collective bargaining agreements with 94% employee endorsement in January 2024

## Career timeline

- **early career** — Investment Banking Analyst at Mesirow Financial
- **pre-2011** — Corporate Development role at Henry Crown and Company
- **2011** — Joined GILLIG LLC as Vice President of Aftermarket Parts
- **2013-2017** — Vice President of Manufacturing at GILLIG
- **2017-2018** — President of GILLIG
- **2018** — Appointed President and CEO of GILLIG LLC
- **2017** — Oversaw GILLIG's relocation from Hayward to new 600,000 sq ft solar-powered facility in Livermore, CA
- **2021** — GILLIG celebrated production of 100th battery electric bus (delivered to Metro Transit, St. Louis)
- **2024** — Secured new five-year union partnerships with Teamsters Local 853 and District Council 16 (94% membership endorsement)
- **2025** — Received Innovation Tri-Valley #GameChangers Award
- **2025** — GILLIG and NFI Group formed 50/50 joint venture to acquire American Seating assets
- **2025** — Delivered next-generation battery-electric buses to all four Hawaiian island counties

## Achievements

- Led GILLIG's complex three-year relocation from Hayward to a new 600,000 sq ft solar-powered facility in Livermore, CA, preserving 900+ skilled manufacturing jobs in California
- Oversaw production of GILLIG's 100th battery electric bus in 2021, a major milestone in American clean transit manufacturing
- Secured five-year union collective bargaining agreements with 94% employee endorsement in January 2024
- Expanded GILLIG's clean-energy portfolio to include battery electric, hybrid, CNG, and hydrogen fuel cell buses
- Won Innovation Tri-Valley #GameChangers Award in May 2025
- Led joint venture with NFI Group to acquire American Seating assets in October 2025, strengthening North American supply chain
- Delivered next-generation battery-electric buses to all four Hawaiian island counties in 2025
- Maintained GILLIG's position as second-largest transit bus manufacturer in North America with ~31% market share

## Latest updates

- **2025-10** — GILLIG and NFI Group formed a 50/50 joint venture to acquire American Seating assets, securing the North American transit bus seating supply chain.
- **2025-07** — GILLIG delivered next-generation battery-electric buses to all four Hawaiian island counties (Kaua'i, Maui, Hawai'i Island, and Honolulu).
- **2025-05** — Derek Maunus and GILLIG received the Innovation Tri-Valley #GameChangers Award for historic business achievement and community commitment.
- **2024-01** — GILLIG secured new five-year collective bargaining agreements with Teamsters Local 853 and District Council 16, with 94% membership endorsement.

## Links

- Website: https://gillig.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-maunus

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/derek-maunus
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-30