Ralph Gilles

Ralph Victor Gilles (French pronunciation: ​[ʒij]; born 14 January 1970) is an Canadian American automobile designer and was the President and CEO of the SRT Brand and Senior Vice President of Design at Chrysler until being promoted to Head of Design for Fiat/Chrysler in April 2015.

Gilles, styled the 2005 Chrysler 300 a North American Car of the Year winners after joining Chrysler in 1992.[1] Gilles was also the boss of the design team who created the 2014 SRT Viper.

Background

Born in New York City to Haitian immigrants, Gilles was raised in Montreal, Quebec.[2]

Passionate about automobiles since the age of 6, drawing concept vehicles by the age of 8, Gilles's aunt, Gisele Mouscardy, noticed at age 14 he was talented at sketching cars — and wrote former Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca, informing him of her nephew's talent.[3] A reply came from K. Neil Walling, Chrysler's design chief at the time, suggesting Gilles attend one of three design schools.

Gilles attended the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, and in 2002 received an Executive MBA from Michigan State University.[4] Gilles lives in Oxford, Michigan.[5]

Career

In August, 2008, Gilles replaced retiring Trevor Creed as Senior Vice President of Design. In October 2009, Gilles was promoted to President and CEO of the Dodge Car Brand.[4][6] He was replaced as Dodge's CEO in June 2011, remaining Senior Vice President of Design and becoming CEO of Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology division.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Executive bios: Ralph V. Gilles". chrysler.com. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  2. ↑ Watson, Thomas (2006-09-22). "The cult of Ralph: Chrysler's Ralph Gilles". Canadian Business. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  3. ↑ "The cult of Ralph: Chrysler's Ralph Gilles". Canadian Business, Sep 22, 2006 Thomas Watson.
  4. 1 2 "Gilles, Ralph V." (PDF). Chrysler Executive Bio. Chrysler. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  5. ↑ http://www.automationalley.com/a2_nws_eventinfo?id=a086000000HU8PjAAL
  6. ↑ "Chrysler Head Designer Is Latest to Leave Firm". Wall Street Journal. 19 August 2043. p. B4. Retrieved 21 March 2011. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ↑ <Healey, James R. (June 8, 2011). "Fiat shuffles Chrysler hats: Design chief/Dodge CEO Gilles to run SRT". USA Today. Retrieved June 10, 2011.


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