AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Tom LaSorda, vice chairman and president of Chrysler LLC, on April 30 announced to the Chrysler Board his intention to retire from the company with immediate effect.
LaSorda — Chrysler’s top executive responsible for manufacturing, procurement and supply, employee relations, global business development and alliances — was appointed to his current position in August 2007, serving in both the Office of the Chairman and on the Board of Managers.
"As the head of our global business development, Tom LaSorda arranged the first meeting with Fiat and played a pivotal role in developing the alliance," said Bob Nardelli, Chrysler chairman and CEO. "His leadership has been instrumental in steering Chrysler through many challenges and has helped our company lay the foundation for a great future. Tom is the fourth generation of LaSordas to work for Chrysler, so he truly has the company in his blood. We thank him for his many contributions and wish him all the best in his future endeavors."
[Editor’s Note: Nardelli also announced late last week that he plans to step down from his post following the company’s successful emergence from bankruptcy.]
Many of Chrysler’s boldest and most successful operational initiatives of the 21st Century were borne by LaSorda. One example, the Toledo Supplier Park in Ohio, home of the Jeep Wrangler, incorporates suppliers into major elements of the vehicle manufacturing process and went on to become North America’s most productive assembly plant.
He was also known for being active in community and charity events, such as United Way, the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan and the Delray Neighborhood House.
LaSorda was appointed president and CEO of the Chrysler Group in 2005 after serving as chief operating officer for the Chrysler Group. Prior to joining the company in 2000, he was employed by General Motors Corp., where he served in many capacities including president of Opel Eisenach GmbH and vice president of Quality, Reliability and Competitive Operations. He earned a reputation as an authority on lean manufacturing by helping to launch the GM-Suzuki joint venture plant, CAMI, in Canada and Opel Eisenach, GM’s pioneering venture in the former East Germany.
In June 2006, LaSorda was presented with an honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. The Automotive Hall of Fame also awarded LaSorda the "Distinguished Service Citation" in 2004.
