A Wasp Sting led the CFO of Daimler Truck to Death

Jochen Goetz, the Daimler Truck AG CFO, a German automaker, passed away suddenly, leaving colleagues and industry observers shocked. The sad incident was disclosed through a LinkedIn post by Joe Kaeser, the Chairman of Daimler’s Supervisory Board, that Goetz died due to complications arising from a wasp sting. Kaeser shared a poignant incident involving a wasp during a meal with his daughter, reflecting on how such a tiny creature could lead to the demise of a strong and capable individual like Jochen Goetz.

Jochen Goetz had assumed the position of CFO for Daimler Truck after the company’s spin-off from Mercedes-Benz Group AG in 2021. His unexpected death was described by Daimler as a “tragic incident,” with no further details initially provided regarding the cause.

Daimler Truck has enlisted a human resources consulting agency to search for a successor to Goetz. In the interim, Martin Daum, the CEO, and Chairman of the Board, will temporarily take on the responsibilities of CFO. The company’s announcement emphasizes the deep connection that Jochen Goetz had with Daimler Truck and its stakeholders.

Martin Daum will ensure the seamless execution of his Chairman duties and interim CFO responsibilities by implementing internal representative arrangements within the finance department. The interim period will also be supported by a strong financial team within the organization.

During his 36-year tenure at Daimler, Goetz played a pivotal role in the company’s robust financial performance as its CFO. He presented the company’s financial progress to the supervisory board on August 1, a feat recognized by Kaeser in his statement.

Kaeser’s LinkedIn post underscores Goetz’s impact on the company’s recent successes. He describes Goetz as someone who was not only adept with numbers but also genuinely cared about the well-being of Daimler Truck’s stakeholders.

Daimler reported a year-over-year revenue increase of 15% for the second quarter, reaching €13.9 billion, as indicated in its financial results. In July, during the company’s capital markets day, Goetz discussed Daimler’s strategy to leverage its financial strength moving forward, focusing on active portfolio management and a strong balance sheet as factors contributing to potential substantial business growth.

Daimler Truck has not yet provided information regarding the specific circumstances of Jochen Goetz’s passing.

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