Jack Hartung, a seasoned executive from Chipotle, has been appointed to Tesla’s board of directors, as reported in a recent Tesla filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. His appointment coincides with Tesla’s ongoing development of a 1950s-style diner and charging station in Los Angeles.
With over twenty years of experience at Chipotle, Hartung served as CFO, president, and chief strategy officer. He managed finance, accounting, supply chain, strategy, safety, and asset protection as the company expanded to over 3,700 locations in the U.S. and internationally.
Before joining Chipotle, Hartung worked for nearly two decades at McDonald’s, where he held the position of VP and CFO for the partner brands group.
Hartung’s expertise in business and finance is expected to benefit his role at Tesla. The company’s board celebrates his addition as Tesla prepares to launch its retro-futuristic diner and charging station in Los Angeles. In August, Tesla advertised a position for a Tesla Diner Experience Specialist, aiming to enhance customer service at this new location.
TechCrunch has contacted Tesla and Hartung to inquire whether his background will provide strategic insights and contacts within the food and beverage industry.
Tesla’s regulatory filing also mentions a related-party transaction, noting that Hartung’s son-in-law has been employed as a Tesla service technician since December 2016, receiving a $124,000 salary last year, which Tesla states aligns with its standard compensation practices.
Hartung’s board responsibilities, including participation on the audit committee, will commence on June 1. He has opted to waive both cash and equity compensation, following the example of other board members.
