Johnson Controls-Saft Names Mary Ann Wright CEO

Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions has announced the appointment of Mary Ann Wright as its chief executive officer. Her appointment was effective March 1. Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions (JCS) is the joint venture between Johnson Controls, Inc. and France-based Saft Groupe SA, which is the exclusive entity by which the companies participate in the hybrid battery market. Wright will be responsible for accelerating the growth and executing the launch of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle battery programs with emphasis on state of the art technology, manufacturing and electronics integration.

MILWAUKEE and PARIS — Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions has announced the appointment of Mary Ann Wright as its chief executive officer. Her appointment was effective March 1.

Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions (JCS) is the joint venture between Johnson Controls, Inc. and France-based Saft Groupe SA, which is the exclusive entity by which the companies participate in the hybrid battery market.

Wright will be responsible for accelerating the growth and executing the launch of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle battery programs with emphasis on state of the art technology, manufacturing and electronics integration.

In addition to leading JCS, Wright will also assume the role of vice president and general manager, Hybrid Systems for Johnson Controls, Inc. She will report to Alex Molinaroli, president, Johnson Controls Power Solutions.

Wright most recently served as executive vice president of Engineering, Product Development, Commercial and Program Management for Collins & Aikman. Prior to joining Collins & Aikman, she served as director, Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs at Ford Motor Co. In this capacity she was responsible for all hybrid, fuel cell and alternative fuel technology development. Wright also served as chief engineer of the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, the industry’s first full hybrid SUV. She began her career at Ford in 1988, holding a variety of positions in finance, product and business planning and engineering. She also played a major role in the launch of multiple vehicles at Ford including the initial Mercury Villager and Nissan Quest, and successive versions of the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable.

Wright has been recognized by Automotive News as one of the "Leading 100 Women in the Automotive Industry." She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and international business from the University of Michigan, a master of science degree in engineering from the University of Michigan and a master of business administration degree from Wayne State University.

For additional information about Johnson Controls, go to: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

For more information about Saft, visit: http://www.saftbatteries.com.