COMPANY INFO
Canoo Inc. is an American automotive company founded in 2017 by Stefan Krause, Ulrich Kranz, and Karl-Thomas Neumann. It develops and manufactures electric vehicles, primarily focusing on commercial fleet, government, and military customers. The company is headquartered in Torrance, California, operates in the automotive industry, and had approximately 1,584 employees as of late 2022. Its official website is canoo.com.
Canoo Inc. is an American automotive company established in 2017, specializing in the development and manufacture of electric vehicles with an emphasis on commercial fleet, government, and military use. Based in Bentonville, Arkansas, Canoo delivers innovative EV solutions leveraging modular platforms for various transportation applications.
The Canoo Inc. leadership team is composed of highly experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds in engineering, automotive technology, finance, privacy law, and organizational development. The company’s executives collectively possess a wealth of expertise from globally recognized organizations, having driven major pivots, technology milestones, and corporate transformations. Canoo’s management team demonstrates strong skills in guiding the organization through periods of industry disruption, restructuring, and rapid scaling, underlining the company’s adaptability and commitment to innovation.
As Executive Chairman and CEO since April 2021, Tony Aquila has led Canoo Inc. through a significant transformation, pivoting from consumer vehicles to a focus on commercial EV platforms. Aquila orchestrated Canoo’s Chapter 7 exit, successfully reacquiring essential assets and intellectual property to streamline business operations and safeguard the company’s future.
Aquila’s career is marked by leadership roles in automotive and software industries. Before joining Canoo, he served as CEO and co-founder of Solera Holdings, where he directed growth and innovation in global automotive software solutions. Aquila holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the United States Military Academy and an M.S. in Engineering Management from the University of Texas at Austin, equipping him with a robust foundation for leading Canoo’s executive team.
Greg Ethridge, Canoo’s CFO since August 2023, is responsible for the company’s financial strategy, reporting, and investor relations. He has implemented pivotal cost-control measures, resulting in an impressive 15% reduction in operating expenses during a period of intense restructuring and realignment of priorities across Canoo's business.
Ethridge’s background includes a tenure as CFO at Vantage Mobility International, where he led the company through an IPO and drove revenues to $500 million. His academic achievements include an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in Economics from Stanford University, providing him with an elite skill set across finance and strategic management.
Serving as CTO since June 2022, Sohel Merchant oversees technology strategy, vehicle architecture, and advanced battery innovation at Canoo Inc. Merchant led the development of Canoo’s proprietary skateboard platform, which forms the foundation for the company’s commercial van and delivery vehicle products.
Merchant’s engineering expertise spans senior roles at Faraday Future and Tesla, where he contributed to breakthrough projects in EV design. He holds an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and a B.Tech. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iowa, fortifying Canoo’s reputation as a leader in EV technology.
Since January 2021, Ramesh Murthy has held the role of Senior Vice President, Finance & Chief Accounting Officer at Canoo. He managed accounting operations, internal controls, and ensured regulatory compliance throughout the company’s bankruptcy proceedings and restructuring.
Previously, Murthy served as Controller at Fisker Automotive and as Senior Accountant at General Motors. He holds a CPA license and a B.Com. from the University of Mumbai, reflecting both international experience and deep technical expertise in automotive finance.
Appointed in December 2023, Michael Carter leads Canoo’s talent acquisition, organizational development, and drives cultural transformation to support the company’s scaled manufacturing vision. His efforts have been instrumental in aligning human capital strategy with Canoo’s dynamic growth trajectory.
Carter brings experience as VP of HR at Navistar International and Director of Talent at Ryder Systems. He earned an M.S. in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University and a B.S. in Human Resources Management from Cornell University, underlining a strong background in talent and leadership development.
David Baumann, Chief Privacy Officer since October 2022, is responsible for building Canoo’s comprehensive privacy and compliance framework. Baumann integrated AI governance and streamlined data-mapping, reducing regulatory risks and expediting vendor due diligence by 30%.
An accomplished attorney specializing in technology and privacy, Baumann served as CEO & General Counsel at TechNexxus and held key roles at Booz Allen Hamilton. He holds a JD from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and a BA from the University of Rochester, strengthening Canoo’s privacy and governance infrastructure.
Hector Ruiz, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since May 2021, managed legal affairs during Canoo’s bankruptcy and negotiated crucial creditor agreements. He restructured the company’s governance to protect stakeholder interests and ensure the legal resilience of Canoo Inc.
Earlier, Ruiz held senior roles in tax and treasury at Canoo and Solera Holdings. He earned a JD from Baylor University School of Law and a BBA in Accounting from Southern Methodist University, bringing a deep knowledge of legal, corporate governance, and tax management to the executive team.
Ulrich Kranz, Canoo co-founder, led R&D of the original multi-purpose ‘skateboard’ EV platform until January 2022, playing a pivotal role in securing over 50 patents and establishing the company’s core technology direction.
Kranz’s prior positions include Executive Vice President of Advanced Engineering at BMW, where he oversaw cutting-edge vehicle technology programs. He holds an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from RWTH Aachen University, emphasizing his technical acumen in automotive innovation.
Stefan Krause co-founded Canoo and served as CFO from 2017 to 2020, raising more than $350 million and taking the company public through a SPAC in 2021. His financial leadership positioned Canoo for its critical growth stages and public market entry.
Before Canoo, Krause was CFO of Volkswagen Group China and COO at Deutsche Bank Asia. Krause holds a Ph.D. in Finance from Goethe University Frankfurt and an MBA from INSEAD, highlighting a strong financial and operational pedigree.
As Canoo Inc.’s former COO, Karl-Thomas Neumann led manufacturing partnerships, built the supply chain infrastructure in Oklahoma and Germany, and launched pilot production. His operational leadership was essential to the company’s early technical and commercial readiness.
Neumann previously served as CEO of Opel/Vauxhall and as a senior partner at Boston Consulting Group. He holds an M.B.A. from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management and an engineering degree from RWTH Aachen University, showcasing strong cross-functional leadership skills.
The Canoo Inc. management team comprises seasoned executives with deep expertise in technology, innovation, finance, legal affairs, accounting, and people strategy. With a mix of original founders and accomplished industry veterans, the company’s leadership structure balances entrepreneurial vision with operational rigor, underpinned by international experience and specialized knowledge that drives ongoing growth and transformation. The Canoo Inc. executives ensure agile decision-making and oversight, positioning the company to fulfill its mission in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market.
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