Tommy LaSorda

Thomas William “Tommy” Lasorda, Automotive Industry Executive.

Thomas William “Tommy” LaSorda is an automotive industry executive who was born in Windsor, Ontario on July 24, 1954. He is best known as having been the chief executive officer (CEO) of Chrysler LLC, a position that he held until 2009. He was also the CEO of Fisker Automotive. LaSorda currently resides in Birmingham, Michigan.

LaSorda was born in Windsor and was raised four blocks from Windsor’s Chrysler assembly plant. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Windsor, graduating in 1977. During these years, LaSorda found summer employment with Kelsey-Hayes, a company specializing in the manufacture of automotive breaks. LaSorda went on to obtain a Master of Business Administration (MBA), also from the University of Windsor, in 1980.

LaSorda worked for General Motors (GM) for a number of years before becoming the CEO for Chrysler. After earning his MBA, he oversaw the construction of an assembly plant for CAMI Automotive (a joint venture between GM and Suzuki Motor Corporation) in Ingersoll, Ontario. LaSorda became the senior vice president of manufacturing for DaimlerChrysler in 2000 and was named the head of manufacturing in 2001. By May 2004, he was named the chief operating officer for the company. LaSorda succeeded Dieter Zetsche as Chrysler’s CEO on January 1, 2006. After leaving Chrysler in 2009, LaSorda was named CEO of Fisker Automotive. LaSorda is also the founder of IncWell, a venture capital firm based out of Birmingham, Michigan.

Sources:

Hall, D. (2005, Jul 29). Respected Canadian to lead resurgent Chrysler group. The Ottawa Citizen.

Keenan, G. (2009). LEAN (hold the mean).

Maynard, M and N. Bunkley. (2007). Ex-Home Depot chief taking reins at Chrysler.

McHugh, D. (2004, Feb 19). Windsor’s LaSorda promoted at chrysler ; takes number 2 post, as chief operating officer other managers move through daimler ranks. Toronto Star.

New Chrysler chief seeks suppliers’ help; bring on big cost cuts, LaSorda says cites need to beat tough competition. (2005, Aug 30). Toronto Star.

University of Windsor. (2012). UWindsor alum appointed to steer luxury carmaker.