Ford makes 7 EV leadership changes, and other staff moves

Ford makes leadership changes Ford Motor Co. announced multiple leadership changes to support the development of its line of electric vehicles (EVs), strengthen its internal combustion product line and transform its supply chain management globally. [caption id="attachment_57331245" align="alignright" width="218"] Doug Field, Chief Advanced Product Development and Technology Officer, Ford Motor Co. [/caption] Doug Field has been named chief advanced product development and technology officer. In addition to his responsibilities under his previous role as chief officer of EVs and digital systems, he will take on design and vehicle hardware engineering, according to a Ford release. Jim Baumbick was appointed vice president of product development operations, cycle planning and internal combustion engine programs. He will oversee product development for Ford Blue, a division of the OEM that is building out its internal combustion engine vehicle portfolio to drive growth and profitability. Chuck Gray has been named vice president of vehicle hardware engineering; he had been serving as vice president of electric vehicle technology since March. Additionally, CFO John Lawler will oversee the OEM’s supply chain operations until a chief global supply chain officer is appointed. Vice President of EV Industrialization Lisa Drake is now responsible for manufacturing engineering as the OEM works toward s manufacturing 2 million EVs per year by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, Hau Thai-Tang , chief industrial platform officer , is retiring Oct. 1 after more than 34 years with Ford, and Dave Filipe , vice president of vehicle hardware modules , is retiring Dec. 1 after 30 years with the manufacturer. Morris assumes VP position at GM Financial Kris Morris has assumed the role of vice president of fleet finance at GM Financial , according to his LinkedIn. [caption id="attachment_57331247" align="alignleft" width="189"] Kris Morris, VP of Fleet Finance, GM Financial [/caption] Morris joined GM Financial in February 2014 as credit manager of commercial vehicle lending. He has since served as assistant vice president of credit for commercial vehicle lending, assistant vice president of regional commercial vehicle sales, and vice president of credit for commercial vehicle lending. Morris began his career in the automotive industry in 2001 as a credit analyst and collections supervisor at Ford Motor Credit Co . and spent three years at CitiFinancial Auto and Nissan Motor Co. before joining GM Financial. Kenningham steps up as Group 1 CEO Daryl Kenningham has been named chief executive at Group 1 Automotive effective Jan. 1, 2023, upon the retirement of current President and CEO Earl Hesterberg . Until then, Kenningham will serve as president and chief operating officer. [caption id="attachment_57331250" align="alignright" width="214"] Daryl Kenningham, CEO, Group 1 Automotive [/caption] Kenningham previously served as Group 1’s president of U.S. and Brazil operations, and has been with the company since April 2011, when he started as regional vice president of its U.S. east region overseeing 42 stores, according to a company release. He brings 34 years of experience in the auto industry and has held prior leadership positions at Nissan North America and Gulf States Toyota . “His business acumen and experience in the implementation of applied technology are what we need in this fast-changing, dynamic marketplace. He has placed great emphasis on all aspects of ESG, and in particular , has become a champion in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion," said Steve Quinn , chairman of the Group 1 Board of Directors. Hesterberg has been with Group 1 Automotive since April 2005; he oversaw the company’s U.S. operations expansion and helped to build the retailer’s U.K. footprint. HyreCar appoints Iniguez interim CFO Los Angeles-based carsharing platform HyreCar appointed Eduardo Iniguez as interim chief financial officer, effective Oct 1. Iniguez previously served as HyreCar’s head of finance and will assume the interim CFO role to lead finance, accounting and compliance functions, according to a company release. He brings more than 14 years of experience in operational finance, treasury, capital management and public accounting. Prior to his tenure at HyreCar, Iniguez was vice president of corporate finance at aerospace distribution company AllClear Aerospace & Defense . Iniguez will be working closely with HyreCar’s newly appointed Head of Risk Management and Insurance Rob MacKethan , who was previously vice president of insurance and risk management at electric scooter and bike mobility company Lime . Serge De Bock stepped down from the CFO position to assume a leadership role at another company. He had been at HyreCar since July 2021 . Krikorian to lead Shift Board of Directors After eight years , Emily Melton stepped down from her position as lead director at used-car marketplace Shift Technologies ’ Board of Directors on Aug. 31. [caption id="attachment_57331246" align="alignleft" width="200"] Jason Krikorian, Lead Director, Shift Technologies [/caption] Melton will be succeeded by Jason Krikorian , who has been company director since 2018. Additionally, Krikorian serves as a board member for seven other companies including 3D spatial data company Matterport , game developer PlayStudios and call center software developer Ujet . “Emily’s guidance from the earliest days all the way through taking Shift public has been invaluable over the years. She worked shoulder to shoulder with us in building the company, providing discerning insight and bringing her extensive experience in steering companies to success,” Shift co-founder Toby Russell said in a company release. Stellantis appoints Taylor to top tech role [caption id="attachment_57331249" align="alignright" width="242"] Chris Taylor, Chief Digital Information Officer, Stellantis [/caption] Automobile manufacturer Stellantis announced the appointment of Chris Taylor as chief digital information officer to help lead the OEM in its transition to a sustainable mobility tech company. Taylor brings 30 years of global IT experience across aviation, manufacturing and telecom. Prior to joining Stellantis, he served as global vice president at Airbus Group , leading cybersecurity and digital transformation. His background in cyber security, new business models and customer-centric solutions will help the company meet its goals, CEO Carlos Tavares said in a company release. Grupposo named SVP of sales at Cox Cox Automotive announced Peter Grupposo as senior vice president of sales, overseeing the commercial sales, dealer sales and market insights team for Manheim and NextGear Capital . [caption id="attachment_57331248" align="alignleft" width="200"] Peter Grupposo, SVP of Sales, Cox Automotive [/caption] Grupposo in 2005 joined Dealer Services Corporation (DSC), which was acquired by Manheim in 2012. Since the acquisition, he has served in multiple leadership roles under the Cox Automotive umbrella, including vice president of operations and business development for NextGear Capital , VP of national accounts at Manheim , and VP of inventory solutions commercial and wholesale for Manheim. He began his automotive career at Enterprise Rent-a-Car in the management trainee program in 2003 before joining as a field sales representative, then as general manager. Grupposo succeeds Holly Capps , who will retire at yearend after 25 years with the company. Batt named president at Auto Approve Fintech innovator Auto Approve appointed Jordan Batt as president overseeing marketing, sales and customer service. Batt has than 20 years of experience in leadership roles, according to a company release. In 2006, he co-founded Endurance Warranty Services LLC , a company specializing in selling extended auto warranties, where he served as president for nearly 12 years and CEO for more than 2 years, according to his LinkedIn. Additionally, Batt was co-founder of Cash Buoy, which provides cash advances to business, and he continues to serve as a board member for the company. Auto Finance Summit, the premier industry event for auto lending and leasing, returns October 26-28 at the Wynn Las Vegas. To learn more about the 2022 event and register, visit www.AutoFinanceSummit.com .

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Ford makes 7 EV leadership changes, and other staff moves

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