Former Tesla Exec Joins Used-Vehicle Leasing Startup

Fair, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based subscription service for used vehicles, has hired ex-Tesla Inc. executive Diarmuid O'Connell as its chief strategy officer.

O'Connell left Tesla last September after spending more than a decade with the electric vehicle company. He most recently was vice president of business development and led Tesla’s public policy team, including a state-by-state effort to sell vehicles directly to consumers. Prior to joining Tesla, O'Connell was chief of staff for political military affairs at the U.S. Dept. of State.

O'Connell began consulting with Fair in January. The company was formed last summer by Scott Painter, who previously founded online car-buying service TrueCar Inc.

At Fair, O'Connell is expected to help the startup expand its operations beyond California. The service bundles lease prices, insurance, roadside assistance and maintenance fees into a single monthly payment. Buyers can return the vehicle at any time without a penalty.

Fair has made several acquisitions and strategic partnerships in recent months. This includes buying certain assets of Skurt, a vehicle-delivery app, and deals with Uber and Ally Financial to match drivers with vehicles and financing options.