CODA Leadership & Management Team
Steven "Mac" Heller, Executive Chairman
Mac brings more than 20 years of investment banking experience to CODA. He began his career at Goldman Sachs in 1982 and advanced through the executive ranks to become Worldwide Head of Mergers and Acquisitions in 1996. In 1999, Mac was also named Worldwide Co-Head of Goldman Sachs' Investment Banking Division, where he played a lead role in numerous M&A and financing transactions until his retirement in 2002. Mac is a member of the Board of Directors of the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), a Washington D.C.-based think-tank dedicated to the promotion of electric drive technology, and is a member of the Electrification Coalition, a non-partisan, not-for-profit group of business leaders committed to promoting policies and actions that facilitate the deployment of electric vehicles on a mass scale. Mac received undergraduate and Juris Doctor degrees from Harvard College and Harvard Law School.
Phil Murtaugh, Chief Executive Officer
Phil is an automotive industry veteran with extensive operating, manufacturing, sales and marketing experience in both the United States and Asia. Phil was employed by General Motors (GM) for more than 30 years in various management and executive-level positions. From 1996 to 2000, he served as Executive Vice President of Shanghai GM, and from 2000 to 2005, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GM China. Over a period of 10 years, Phil grew GM’s presence from 15 employees in its Shanghai operations to 15,000 employees throughout the country while increasing the unit’s revenue from $300 million to more than $7 billion. Following GM, he served as Executive Vice President, International Operations for Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). His next executive role was Chief Executive Officer, Asia Operations for Chrysler. Most recently, Phil has been a Director of Lear Corporation, and a consultant and advisor to numerous large sales and manufacturing companies.
Ashoka Achuthan, Chief Financial Officer
Ashoka comes to CODA with extensive financial management and operational experience in both the Automotive and Power Systems fields. Ashoka was employed with Siemens for over 20 years in Asia, Europe and North America, his last position being Executive VP and CFO of Siemens VDO Automotive Inc. in Auburn Hills, Mi., where he helped drive profitability and grow the business from $1.2Bil to $3.2Bil in revenues between 2000 and 2005. From 2005 to 2008, he was the CFO at CooperPower Systems Inc. in Milwaukee, Wi., where he helped establish Cooper’s presence in the Energy Automation Solutions space. Between 2008 and the present, he was the CFO at ATC Technologies Corp, a NASDAQ listed company in the third-party logistics anddrivetrain solutions business in Chicago, Il and the CFO at Key Plastics LLC, a Private Equity - owned automotive interiors supplier in Detroit, Mi. Ashoka is a Chartered Accountant, has a BS from the University of Bombay, and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Oh.
Mark Atkeson, SVP of China Operations
Mark is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and has over 14 years of experience in Chinese manufacturing under his belt. Formerly, he was General Manager and Director of Chengdu Aerotech Manufacturing Company, China’s first aviation technology manufacturing joint venture, producing engine parts for the U.S. market.
Dennis G. Dougherty, SVP of Operations
Dennis brings over four decades of operations experience in the automotive industry across the United States, China, and Mexico to CODA. Dennis spent 39 years with General Motors in a variety of management and executive roles, including Executive Director of Manufacturing for GM China, Vice President of Manufacturing for Saturn Corporation, Complex Director for General Motors de Mexico, and Plant Manager at both the Pontiac and Wilmington Assembly Centers. In each of these executive roles, Dennis oversaw product launches and greenfield site start-ups. Most recently, Dennis has been a global manufacturing consultant, advising a number of Fortune 500 companies on competitive manufacturing. Dennis holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University and an MBA from the University of Delaware.
Thomas Fritz, SVP of Engineering
Thomas is an auto industry expert with a truly comprehensive know-how in all aspects of Vehicle Development. Prior to CODA, Thomas headed Fisker Automotive’s Engineering department for more than three years and led them to a successful start of production. In his 23 year career in the auto industry, Thomas has also held prominent engineering positions for companies such as Ford, BMW, and Magna Steyr. He has managed vehicle development projects for Range Rover, Rolls Royce, several BMW projects including the BMW Z8, as well as a number of Lincoln concept programs. Thomas graduated with an MBA from Henley Management College, and also holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and CAD from Fachhochschule Aalen.
Thomas Hausch, SVP of Marketing, Sales, Aftersales
With more than 20 years in the automotive industry, Thomas has been responsible for the launch of numerous cars, brands and networks in America, Europe and other international markets. Prior to joining CODA, Thomas was the VP Europe, Middle East & Africa for Chrysler Group, LLC based out of Stuttgart, Germany, where he established and oversaw all new and existing wholesale, retail and production entities. Prior, Thomas was VP of International Sales and Executive Director of International Sales and Marketing for Chrysler Group and DaimlerChrysler in Auburn Hills, Michigan where he was responsible for Sales, Marketing, Product Management, Aftersales, Distribution, Strategy and International Product Creation for over 150 markets, achieving record sales and profitability numbers in the overall international business from 2006 until the end of his tenure in 2008. With a Diploma in Business Engineering from Fridericiana University of Karlsruhe in Germany and an MBA from the University of Southern California, Thomas began his career at Daimler-Benz AG and has held numerous development, assembly, sales, corporate strategy and International management positions within the Mercedes-Benz brand.
Chris Rose, SVP of Corporate Development
Chris has responsibility for CODA’s corporate development and legal departments. He has more than 15 years of experience in corporate transactions. Prior to joining CODA, Chris led dozens of transactions, with a combined value of over 10 billion dollars, as an attorney with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and as Associate General Counsel and Corporate Development with Fidelity National Financial, Inc. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School, a law degree from UCLA and a degree in economics from UC Berkeley.
K. Forrest Beanum, VP of Government Relations and External Affairs
With more than 18 years in the public affairs and public relations arenas, Forrest is a seasoned communications executive. Prior to joining CODA, Forrest was National Press Secretary for U.S. Secretary of HUD, Henry G. Cisneros and VP of Investor Relations and Communications at CityView, a $2B urban development and infrastructure investor. Previously, Forrest held executive communications positions at ExcitePR, Schwartz Communications, The Loomis Group, and Cerrell Associates, Inc. Forrest has also worked on projects with U.N. Secretary Kofi Annan, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former Mexican President Vicente Fox, and a long list of local, state, and federal politicians.
Andreea Boier-Jennings, VP of Human Resources
Andreea oversees a global team and provides system-wide leadership in the areas of human resources and organizational development, including benefits, compensation, performance management, recruitment, and retention. She advises senior management on all aspects of Human Resources, including US and international compensation and benefits, labor law, and leadership development. Andreea began her career in executive search, with Rhodes Associates, and then continued with The GlenRock Group, Keynote Systems, and AdMedia, where she oversaw a wide spectrum of HR initiatives.
Chris Paulson, VP of Corporate Strategy and Business Development
Chris is responsible for corporate strategy, business development, fundraising, project management, and IT. Chris spent more than six years at McKinsey and Company in the firm’s operations and private equity practices where he served clients in several industries including high tech, pharma/biotech, medical devices, and industrial companies. He worked at Intel Corporation in the supply network group before joining McKinsey. Chris is an Industrial Engineer by training with a bachelors and masters degree from the University of Michigan.
Kathy Wang, VP of China Corporate Affairs
Kathy has over 15 years experience in China's auto industry. She actively participated in many joint venture negotiations for new automotive projects in China, and was the main point of contact with key Chinese OEMs and relevant government authorities. In her most recent position, she was a Senior Advisor at PAC Group, leading a joint venture negotiating team for a $150 million sino-US automotive project. Prior to that she served in a number of Business Planning and Public Affairs positions in General Motors, Shanghai Automotive Industries Corp. and Chrysler.
Miles Rubin, Founder & Chairman Emeritus
Miles is a philanthropist and seasoned entrepreneur with a long history in manufacturing. Previously, Miles served as CEO of Detroit Iron & Steel Industries, Reliance Manufacturing, Puritan Fashions Corp. and Polo Ralph Lauren Jeanswear.
Steven "Mac" Heller, Executive Chairman
Mac spent 20 years at Goldman Sachs in executive positions, including Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, Worldwide and Co-Head of the Investment Banking Division.
Niall Davis, Board Member
Niall is one of ten founding partners of Swiss aeris CAPITAL AG, a large global private equity firm. He splits his time between the direct investment team and the private equity fund investment team. Prior to aeris, Niall was with First Ventury, one of Germany's leading Venture Capital firms, where he focused on open source, enterprise software, security, Internet applications, IT in healthcare, IT infrastructure, compilers, operating systems, wireless communication, and home entertainment systems.
Daniel Weiss, Board Member
Daniel is the Co-founder and Managing Partner at the Angeleno Group LLC., a Los Angeles-based private equity firm focused on high-growth investments in the energy sector.
Phil Murtaugh, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member
Phil is Chief Executive and a member of the Board of CODA Holdings. He was employed by General Motors (GM) for more than 30 years in various management and executive-level positions. From 1996 to 2000, Phil served as Executive Vice President of Shanghai GM, and from 2000 to 2005, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GM China. Over a period of 10 years, Phil grew GM's presence from 15 employees in its Shanghai operations to 15,000 employees throughout the country while increasing the unit's revenue from $300 million to more than $7 billion. Following GM, Phil served in a variety of executive, board and advisory positions for Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), Chrysler and Lear Corporation.
James P. McGinnis, Board Member
James is a Managing Director of Harbinger Capital Partners where he focuses on investments in the energy, power and utility industries. Prior to joining Harbinger, he played a leadership role in advising on and executing the energy and infrastructure strategies for a number of financial services firms. James currently serves on the Board of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change and is a Trustee of Charity: Water.
Lord John Browne, Board Member
Lord Browne is a Partner and Managing Director of Riverstone Holdings LLC. He is the current President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the Royal Society and a foreign member of the US Academy of Arts and Sciences. He joined BP in 1966 and served as CEO from 1995 to 2007. He is Chairman of a variety of advisory boards. He holds degrees from Cambridge and Stanford Universities.
Flora Chan, Board Member
Flora is an Executive Director of New World Strategic Investment Limited, a direct investment arm of New World Development Company Limited ("New World Group"), a blue chip conglomerate listed on in Hong Kong and she also holds concurrently the position of Head of Strategic Investment of Chow Tai Fook Group. She is responsible for leading the investment team in new investment activities, monitoring the overall financial performance of the investment portfolio, and managing divestment opportunities. She has worked in New World Group for more than 10 years and prior to joining New World Group, she worked in Commerzbank AG Hong Kong Branch and Natwest Markets Corporate Finance and has possessed extensive experience in dealing with merger and acquisition transactions and providing advisory services for both private and listed companies. She holds degree from the University of Hong Kong and is a Fellow of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Paul W. Hobby
As the managing partner of Genesis Park, L.P., Mr Hobby has long involvement in execution and management of technology investments focused around energy, telecommunications and media. He also has broad experience as a public company director, serving in that capacity for leading public companies such as NRG, Stewart Title, EGL Worldwide, Amegy Bank, Coastal Banc and others for over twenty years. Mr. Hobby is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Texas School of Law and is active in public service in Texas.
Thomas R. McDaniel
Prior to retirement, Tom was the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Edison International where he worked for 37 years. He is currently a Director of SunPower Corp., SemGroup, LP, Cypress Envirosystems, and the Senior Care Action Network.
Thomas "Mack" McLarty
Mack is the Former Chief of Staff for President Clinton. He is now President of McLarty Associates, a Washington DC-based consulting company, and CEO of McLarty Companies, a national automotive retailer based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Henry M. Paulson, Jr.
Henry served as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under President George W. Bush and led the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. He is a strong advocate for conservation in the U.S. and China, and for immediate action to decrease the effects of climate change. Prior to serving as Treasury Secretary, he led Goldman Sachs as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.