NASHVILLE, TN — Dan Passe is returning to Nissan North America as director of corporate communications, after three years with the automative company in Japan. 

In his new role, Passe will oversee the North American operation’s corporate communications efforts, including future advanced technology, multicultural communications, manufacturing, labor and policy communications, and financial services.

Passe will report to Travis Parman, Nissan’s VP of North American and international communications and global engagement. He replaces acting director of corporate comms Chris Keeffe, who recently returned to working for Nissan overseas.

In Japan, Passe was the general manager for global product communications, leading product launch and global motor show efforts. Prior to that, he was the senior manager of Nissan product communications in the US.

Passe takes up the role one year after Nissan promoted Parman, who had been working with Nissan in Tokyo as global division GM of global communications, to the newly-created position of VP of North American and international communications and global engagement.

Parman’s move came in conjunction with Nissan rolling out an aggressive two-year plan to restore regional business following a US sales slump and fallout from the Carlos Ghosn scandal.