Chrysler Board Adds 6 New Directors

Chrysler Group LLC said Friday it nearly doubled the size of its board, adding some key company executives and the former chief financial officer of Philip Morris International, reported The Detroit News.

The Auburn Hills unit of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV said it named former tobacco company CFO Hermann G. Waldemer as one of six new directors who started Monday. One director, Douglas Steenland, a former Northwest Airlines chief executive, is stepping down after five years on the board. The board now has 13 members.

The other new board members are:

• Reid A. Bigland, head of U.S. sales, Chrysler Group; chairman, president and chief executive officer, Chrysler Canada Inc.; president and chief executive officer, Ram Truck brand; member of Fiat SpA Group Executive Council.
• Giorgio Fossati, general counsel, Fiat SpA
• Michael J. Keegan, senior vice president, human resources, and corporate sustainability officer, Chrysler Group LLC; member of Fiat SpA Group Executive Council.
• Michael Manley, president and chief executive officer, Jeep brand; chief operating officer for Asia Pacific and lead executive for International Operations, Chrysler Group; member of Fiat SpA Group Executive Council.
• Richard K. Palmer, chief financial officer, Chrysler Group; chief financial officer, Fiat SpA; member of Fiat SpA Group Executive Council.

“I welcome this group of strong leaders to the board,” said Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne. “Their collective experiences will help propel us forward as we begin to execute our five-year plan."