ANAHEIM, Calif. – Fisker Automotive has announced the appointment of Tom LaSorda to the newly created role of vice chairman of the Fisker Board and chairman of the Board’s Strategy Council. LaSorda will also work as an executive adviser to the management team on day-to-day operations, reporting to co‑founder and CEO Henrik Fisker.
A well-known automotive industry executive with more than 30 years of experience, LaSorda was a former CEO, president and vice chairman of Chrysler Group, a company he joined in 2000 before retiring in 2009. He played an integral role in the sale of Chrysler to the Fiat Group. Prior to his service with Chrysler, LaSorda held a number of executive positions at General Motors over a 23-year career.
He is currently a co-founder of a venture capital fund – Stage 2 Innovations – with Manoj Bhargava, the sole investor and owner of 5-Hour ENERGY based in Farmington Hills, Mich.
In his new role, LaSorda will work closely with Fisker Automotive Chief Operations Officer Bernhard Koehler, Chief Financial Officer Joe DaMour and newly appointed Chief Commercial Officer Richard Beattie.
“We are delighted to welcome Tom to the leadership team of Fisker Automotive,” said co-founder and CEO Henrik Fisker. “The company is entering a new stage of growth, to which Tom’s strategic vision and experience will be vital. His appointment sends a strong statement about the future direction of Fisker Automotive as it becomes a global car company.”
Ray Lane, Fisker Automotive’s chairman said, "LaSorda is joining a Board that has recently been expanded to include Mindy Grossman, Scott Sandell and Timothy Shriver."
Mindy Grossman is CEO and a director of Home Shopping Network (HSN), where she oversees a $3 billion retail portfolio and brings extensive retail and apparel industries through her experience at HSN, Nike, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.
Scott Sandell is a general partner with New Enterprise Associates (NEA), where he focuses on investments in information technology and alternative energy and oversees NEA’s operation in China. Sandell is also a board member for numerous green energy and technology companies.
Timothy Shriver is an entrepreneur and film producer, who is also chairman and CEO of the Special Olympics, which serves nearly 4 million intellectually disabled athletes in 179 countries around the world.
Fisker Automotive also announce the appointment of Richard Beattie to the newly created role of chief commercial officer. Based in Fisker Automotive’s Southern California headquarters, Beattie will take responsibility for Fisker Automotive’s global marketing, sales and customer service divisions as its first range-extended luxury vehicle, the Fisker Karma, continues to be delivered to customers worldwide.
Beattie was formerly responsible for sales and marketing at Jaguar Land Rover North America from 2002 to 2007, before taking over the position of executive vice president of marketing and sales for Jaguar North America in 2009.
Prior to this, he was VP of marketing, sales and service at Lincoln Mercury, having risen through the ranks at Ford both in Europe and the U.S., including a posting as president and CEO of Mazda’s North American operations. He brings a solid management record with premium and luxury automotive brands, said Fisker.
“The addition of Richard Beattie to our leadership team completes our transition from a start-up car company to a volume manufacturer,” Fisker. “His experience in the premium car sector will be crucial as we continue to reach new customers in both Europe and Asia.”
