REE Automotive has announced the appointment of operations and manufacturing executive Josh Tech as the company’s new chief operations officer (COO). Tech joins REE after serving on Tesla’s Operations Leadership Team as head of the New Product/Manufacturing Introduction group. Previously, he oversaw manufacturing development and launch at a worldwide leader in automotive exterior design, development, and manufacturing, and most recently served as vice president of manufacturing and engineering for one of America’s most advanced construction technology firms, Plant Prefab. Based in the U.S., Josh replaces Michael Charlton, who will serve as strategic advisor on manufacturing, extending his decades of global automotive and manufacturing expertise to the REE leadership team.
Tech brings more than 23 years of experience to REE in complex product development and launch, industrialization, infrastructure development, engineering, supply chain, quality, and operations management. As REE’s COO, he will be based in the U.S. and lead all aspects of REE’s operations, manufacturing, and global expansion management, including leveraging his unique talent for the launch of REE’s integration centers in Austin, Texas, and Coventry, UK.
Tech joins REE at a momentous time for the company, as it prepares for full vehicle prototype testing for customers in 2022 on its path toward commercial production of its REEcorners and modular REEboard EV platforms in 2023. Under his leadership, REE’s integration centers will serve demand in North America and Europe with initial focus on the commercial launch of REE’s P7 platform, intended to power commercial electric vehicles such as walk-in delivery vans, buses, and recreational vehicles.
