Edward Hightower was named the CEO of Lordstown Motors Corp. on Tuesday, making him the primary Black CEO of a U.S. automaker in additional than 100 years.
“It’s something I’m proud of. I’m proud of my heritage, I’m proud of my race,” Hightower instructed Automotive News on Tuesday. “The thing that I spend the most time focusing on is how I deliver for my customers and how I deliver for the team. I think my background helps.”
Hightower was promoted to CEO after being president of the corporate. Lordstown Motors additionally introduced a number of different administration strikes.
Though different Black males have risen to excessive automotive government roles — resembling Ed Welburn, General Motors’ former vice chairman of world design, and Ralph Gilles, the chief design officer at Stellantis and a member of its prime government workforce — Hightower has made historical past together with his new place.
Hightower, 57, hails from Chicago and earned a bachelor’s diploma on the whole engineering from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. Later, he held a number of engineering, technique, model advertising and marketing and senior government roles for GM, Ford and BMW.
Hightower mentioned his background has ready him for the function at Lordstown Motors.
“I’ve grown my career in the automotive industry because I’ve been passionate about it. My entire life, I was passionate about cars,” Hightower mentioned. “Growing up in Chicago, I was good in math and science. So I’m blessed to have the career I’ve had so far. I look forward to continuing it with this transition toward electrification and leading Lordstown.”
Longtime automotive communications government Randi Payton, CEO of Decisive Media, mentioned Hightower is very certified for the job.
“I give my hats off to Ed Hightower, because Ed has been doing something that very few executives have done, not only in the U.S., with a wide range of experience, but he’s also global,” Payton mentioned. “I think Ed is highly qualified to be the CEO of a major auto company.”
Source: www.autonews.com
