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LORDSTOWN -- With the sale of its auto assembly factory and shift away from manufacturing toward engineering and developing electric vehicles, Lordstown Motors Corp. has changed its senior leadership structure.
President Edward Hightower will become CEO, effective immediately, succeeding Daniel A. Ninivaggi, who will transition to executive board chairman, a role in which he will focus on corporate strategy, partnerships and raising money.
Hightower, made president in November, also will continue to serve as CEO of MIH EV Design LLC, a joint venture with Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn to co-develop electric-vehicle programs on Foxconn's MIH (mobility in harmony) platform.
Foxconn acquired the factory for $230 million in May.
"With over 30 years of automotive experience and having made significant contributions to the Endurance launch preparation and Foxconn transactions, Edward is the perfect person to lead the company and launch our product development efforts with Foxconn," said Ninivaggi.
Ninivaggi joined Lordstown Motors in August following a short tenure with interim CEO Angela Strand after founder and CEO Steve Burns abruptly resigned amid concern over the company's long-term viability and questions surrounding the order book for the Endurance.
The other senior leadership moves are:
-- Donna Bell, a former executive with Ford with nearly 30 years in automotive produce development and technology innovation leadership, has been appointed executive vice president, product creation, engineering and supply chain, also effective immediately.
-- Andrew Reyntjes, who has 30 years in the auto and commercial fleet industry, was made senior vice president, sales, service and marketing, effective June 29.
-- Jill Coniglio-Kirk was appointed vice president of people and culture, effective June 20. She has more than 20 years in automotive human resources roles and building out early-stage organizations.
-- Jane Ritson-Parsons will be transitioning out of her role as chief commercial officer, which she has filled since November and will become an advisor to Lordstown Motors.
"As the Endurance gets closer to production and we select partners for our first joint venture vehicle, our commercial strategy will also be critical. Andrew will accelerate the development of our commercial fleet partnerships," Ninivaggi continued. "Finally, we are in an industry with emerging technologies and the need for constant innovation. Jill will be a key member of our senior management team, with a particular focus on recruiting and developing the best EV engineering talent."
Said Hightower, "We now have a focused leadership team with vast experience in developing, launching and commercializing vehicles. I've just returned from two weeks in Taiwan meeting with Foxconn and exploring our joint product development opportunities. I look forward to strengthening our partnership and confirming our first vehicle program over the next several months.
The third quarter continues to be the target to launch production of Lordstown Motors' flagship vehicle, the Endurance pickup truck with 500 start and up to 2,500 through 2023.
Hightower said in June early development on new Lordstown Motors vehicles had already begun, but did not share more information.
rselak@tribtoday.com