Former Tesla, GM Exec to Lead Engine Startup

Grace Overlander has been appointed CEO of Pinnacle Engines Inc., a Silicon Valley-based powertrain startup.

Overlander most recently led Tesla Inc.’s powertrain manufacturing engineering group. Her team supported the launch of the electric drivetrains for several vehicles—including the high-output P100D systems—and home energy devices.

Prior to joining Tesla in 2014, Overlander spent six years at General Motors Co., including a stint as the program quality manager for advanced batteries. She also held management positions at Timken and Goodrich.

Overlander has a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA and master’s in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Pinnacle, which was formed in 2007, claims its opposed-piston 4-stroke engine can provide a 50% boost in fuel economy. The company has more than 200 patents related to the technology.