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IONNA, a leading charging network founded by top automakers like BMW, General Motors, and Honda, has announced Durham, North Carolina as its global headquarters. This move follows regulatory approval and the start of operations in February. IONNA also revealed its new executive leadership team, including Derek Rush as CFO, Ricardo Stamatti as CPO, and Shankar Muthukumar as COO.
Key Highlights:
- New Headquarters in Durham, NC: Strategic location in the Research Triangle.
- Executive Leadership Team: Appointments of CFO, CPO, and COO.
- Mission and Vision: Focus on innovative and reliable EV charging solutions.
Durham as the Global Headquarters
IONNA’s choice of Durham, NC, as its global headquarters is a strategic decision aimed at leveraging the area’s thriving research ecosystem and top universities. Located in the heart of the Research Triangle, Durham offers a dynamic blend of tech talent and a strong commitment to innovation. This aligns perfectly with IONNA’s mission to create a cutting-edge customer charging experience.
“We are thrilled to call Durham home,” said Seth Cutler, CEO of IONNA. “The area’s established history of research, innovation, and its vibrant growing community make it the perfect place for IONNA to join, thrive, and pioneer. I’m excited to grow a cross-industry team that will deliver the IONNA vision from our new home base.”
“IONNA’s decision to make Durham County its home validates our global reputation for the Electric Vehicle industry,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “This cutting-edge company and its founding automotive manufacturers will benefit from the innovative ecosystem, highly skilled workforce, and central location of North Carolina to take its pioneering technology to market.”
Accelerating Operations and Innovation
IONNA’s new headquarters will enable the company to ramp up operations and reimagine the electric vehicle charging landscape. The facility will serve as a think tank, lab, mission control, and deployment pad, fostering a collaborative environment that is crucial for innovation and progress.
Customer Experience and Technological Advancement
The Durham headquarters will house a Customer Experience Lab, serving as the central hub for seven new satellite labs at the founding OEMs’ facilities. This setup will play a pivotal role in accelerated deployment, interoperability testing, and continuous improvement of features, setting new standards and benchmarks in the industry.
Expanding Leadership Team
IONNA has also expanded its leadership team with the appointment of Derek Rush as Chief Financial Officer, Ricardo Stamatti as Chief Product Officer, and Shankar Muthukumar as Chief Operating Officer. These leaders bring a wealth of experience and strategic vision to the company.
Derek Rush, previously the CFO of bp Pulse, will oversee all financial operations and strategies at IONNA. “Joining IONNA is a unique opportunity to contribute to a new company while also helping the industry move forward. I’m thrilled to be part of this key inflection point in the future of sustainable mobility solutions,” said Derek.
Ricardo Stamatti, formerly Global SVP of Stellantis Energy, will drive the vision, strategy, and execution of IONNA’s product development. “I am humbled and excited to have the opportunity to join IONNA, leading the development of groundbreaking products that will rewrite the current industry script and delight customers across the nation,” he stated.
Shankar Muthukumar, previously General Manager of Mortenson’s e-mobility division, will manage all operational aspects of IONNA’s expanding network. “I am thrilled to be part of IONNA’s mission to achieve record growth, up-time, and quality KPIs and also proudly deliver a 1:1 say-do ratio,” said Shankar.
These leaders are poised to propel IONNA forward, ensuring the company sets new benchmarks in the industry. IONNA continues to hire top professionals from various sectors to meet its ambitious goals.
About IONNA
IONNA is a joint venture founded by seven of the world’s leading automakers: BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, and Stellantis. The company aims to redefine charging as an integrated customer experience by developing a nationwide network of over 30,000 ultra-fast charging points by 2030. For more information, visit IONNA.
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