FCA Appoints Outsiders as COO, PR Chief for N. America

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV has named former executives from Amazon and Shell Oil to be chief operating officer and head of communications for its North American business.

Mark Stewart, 51, succeeds the late Sergio Marchionne as COO for the unit. He most recently was vice president of operations for Amazon. A former executive at Tower Automotive and TRW Automotive, he became COO at ZF after the German company acquired TRW in 2015.

Niel Golightly, 60, FCA’s new head of global communications for North America, most recently led external relations for the Americas operations of Shell Oil. He also is a former chief of public affairs for Ford of Europe. Golightly succeeds Mike Keegan, who will become chief audit, sustainability and compliance officer in March.

Stewart and Golightly also are joining FCA’s Group Executive Council. Their new assignments take effect immediately.