NGK Ceramics Leadership Team

NGK Ceramics Leadership Team

Meet our leadership team. With decades of experience and knowledge in the industry, our team is dedicated to ensuring NGK Ceramics continuously provides world-class products and customer service to our clients in every part of the world.

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Masayuki "Morgan" Kondo

Chairman

Morgan Kondo is the Chairman at NGK Ceramics USA. He bgean working for NGK Ceramics USA in 2023 as the President after working as the President for its sister plants in Indonesia and Belgium. He also worked in our main headquarters in Nagoya, Japan as a general manager, in the business planning department, and environment business group.

Kondo has travelled to many NGK plants including ones in Japan, Belgium, Indonesia, China, Poland, Mexico and Thailand. Morgan Kondo graduated from Keio University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Commerce.

Todd Alexander
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Todd Alexander

President & Director of Manufacturing

Todd Alexander was named President in April 2026. Along with his presidential duties, he serves as the Director of Manufacturing.

Alexander began his NGK tenure in 1992 holding such roles as the Inspection Manager, Inventory Control Department Manager, Manager of Administration, Director of Administration and Vice President. Alexander lived in Nagoya, Japan, for two years, working in the Automotive Ceramics Product Engineering group after being assigned to NGK’s headquarters there.

Prior to joining NGK, Alexander worked for Cone Mills Corporation in Salisbury, NC as an Assistant Human Resources Manager, Training Manager, and a Production Supervisor. Alexander holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Finance from The University of South Carolina, a Master of Business Administration from Appalachian State University, and a Master of Science in Organizational Management from Pfeiffer University.

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Nobuhiro "Nick" Tagami

Director and Senior Tech Advisor

Nobuhiro "Nick" Tagami became the Senior Technical Advisor at NGK Ceramics USA in April 2026. This will be his 3rd time as an expatriate at ACU, totaling 7 years at the plant. His prior positions include Tech Advisor at ACU, Director and Factory Manager at ACT, Department Manager of Safety and Environmental at ACJ and Department Manager of the Production Engineering Department at the ES division in headquarters.

Tagumi has traveled to NGK plants in Japan, Belgium, USA, Indonesia, Poland, and Thailand. He has a wife and two daughters and enjoys traveling, reading and watching movies.

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John Challis

Director of Administration

John Challis is the Director of Administration at NGK Ceramics USA. He began working for NGK in 1989 as a Load Unload Technical Leader, amd since has worked as a Manager for Inspection, Forming and Plating before becoming the Director of Administration on April 1, 2024.

John Challis graduated from Montreat College with a Bachelor of Science. He also graduated from Western Carolina with a Masters Degree in HR Management in 2024.

Lee Johnson
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Lee Johnson

Director of Engineering

Lee Johnson is the Director of Engineering at NGK Ceramics USA. He began working for NGK in 2003 as a Process & Technology Engineer.

In 2010, Johnson became the Process & Technology Manager where he oversaw the entire Process & Technology Department’s continuous improvement efforts. After seven years, Johnson took on the role of Assistant Engineering Director and was later promoted to the Director of Engineering where he is now responsible for all engineering functions across the facility.

Lee Johnson graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology.

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Mike Brown

Director of Materials

Mike Brown is the Director of Materials at NGK Ceramics USA. He began working for NGK in 2002 as a Material Engineer, and since has worked as an Area Manager and Department Manager before becoming the Director of Materials.

Mike Brown graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Ceramic Engineering.

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Takao "Jimmy" Kojima

Senior Administrative Advisor

Takao "Jimmy" Kojima became the Senior Administrative Advisor at NGK Ceramics USA in April 2025. He has had prior psoitions at other NGK Ceramics plants including Administrative Director at ACM, Administrative Supervisor at ACP and Accounting at ACJ.

Jimmy has a wife and two daughters and enjoys sports and being outdoors.