Tesla has named JB Straubel, the company’s former CTO who now runs his own startup, Redwood Materials, as its next independent director.
The company said in Thursday’s regulatory filing that Hiromichi Mizuno, former chief investment officer of Japan’s $1.5 trillion pension fund, will take over the vacant seat if Straubel is elected by shareholders (almost certain). said. Mizuno will join its board of directors and its audit committee in 2020 and does not plan to run for re-election.
Straubel, who joined Tesla in 2004 and served as CTO for 14 years, was seen as the quiet, steady man behind controversial CEO Elon Musk. Straubel’s role at Tesla cannot be underestimated. This executive was responsible for some of the company’s most important technologies, most notably batteries. Even when the CEO was embroiled in controversy, his low-key yet steady presence and his technical acumen provided stability.
During his tenure at Tesla, Straubel led the construction and concept of the Gigafactory Nevada and the production of the Model 3 sedan.
Strobel left Tesla in 2019. Drew Baglino, Vice President of Technology, took over his duties. At the time, Tesla said Straubel would continue in his senior advisory role.
After leaving the automaker, Straubel focused on scaling Redwood Materials, a battery materials supplier and recycler founded in 2017. In some high-profile customer deals with companies such as Panasonic and Amazon.
Tesla’s shareholder meeting is scheduled for May 16.
