After Marijuana Controversy, Elon Musk Rejigs Tesla Top Management

Creating a tempest by smoking marijuana during a live podcast that led to Tesla stocks crashing x percent to hit the lowest level since 2016, Chairman and CEO Elon Musk on Sat appear a major shake-up in the top echelons of the electric car-making visitor.

Tesla's shares tanked on Fri afterward its two top executives –including chief bookkeeping officer Dave Morton — announced they would quit afterwards Musk was filmed smoking marijuana during a podcast hosted past comedian Joe Rogan.

In a new blog post, Musk announced a number of top management changes after discussing with the Tesla lath of directors and executive staff.

"Jerome Guillen has been promoted to President, Automotive, reporting straight to me. In his new role, Jerome will oversee all automotive operations and programme direction, as well equally coordinate our extensive automotive supply chain," said Musk.

Kevin Kassekert has been promoted equally Vice President of People and Places, with responsibleness for human resources, facilities, construction and infrastructure evolution.

"As many of you know, Tesla's Chief People Officeholder Gaby Toledano has been on go out for a few months to spend more fourth dimension with her family and has decided to continue doing and then for personal reasons," Musk added.

Chris Lister who joined Tesla last year and was key to solving production problems at the Gigafactory in Nevada and ramping Model three production has been promoted to Vice President, Gigafactory Operations.

"In this role, he leads our production and manufacturing engineering at Giga. Before Tesla, Chris ran several ultra high volume factories at PepsiCo," Musk informed, adding that Laurie Shelby, Tesla'due south VP, Environmental, Health and Rubber (EHS) will likewise report directly to him.

"We are nigh to take the almost amazing quarter in our history, building and delivering more than twice every bit many cars as nosotros did last quarter.

"For a while, there will exist a lot of fuss and noise in the media. Just ignore them. Results are what matter and we are creating the most mind-blowing growth in the history of the automotive industry," Musk wrote.

Dave Arnold has been promoted to Senior Manager, Global Communications, overseeing Tesla'due south communications team.

Musk also announced a new product lineup.

"There is the Model Y, the Tesla (pickup) Truck, the Semi and the new Roadster. And then there is the Solar Roof, which is spooling upward in product, and continued advancements in Powerwall and Powerpack. And that'south simply what people know nearly," he said.

On Fri, Tesla shares dropped to nearly $252 — their biggest single-solar day drop in two years later on Musk was seen smoking weed on the show.