Chrysler Group said today that effective immediately, Al Gardner is appointed President and CEO of the Chrysler Brand, replacing Saad Chehab who was named Chief Marketing Officer of Maserati S.p.A. worldwide. Gardner was most recently Director of Chrysler Group’s Southeast Business Center. He joined the company in 1986.
Steve Beahm is named Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management, effective 1 January 2014. Prior to this position, Beahm served as Vice President – U.S. Sales Operations. He joined Chrysler in 1987.
In addition to his current responsibilities as President and CEO of the Dodge Brand, Tim Kuniskis assumes responsibility for the company’s Fleet operations as Pete Grady was named President and CEO of Maserati North America. Grady will retain his Chrysler Group Dealer Network responsibilities as Vice President Dealer Network Development. Both appointments are effective immediately.
In related moves, Robert Graczyk is appointed Head of Sales – Australia for all Fiat and Chrysler brands, effective immediately. Graczyk previously served as President and CEO of Maserati North America. He joined Chrysler in 1986. Jeffrey Kommor is appointed Vice President of U.S. Sales Operations, effective 1 January 2014. Previously, Kommor served as Director of the company’s Northeast Business Center. He joined the company in 1985.
“All of these appointments represent important recognition of the positive contribution that each individual has brought to the organization,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
