Ralph A. Sarotte, P.E. - Bio

Summary

An experienced educated professional manager and strategist with over thirty years of management background (40+ years, professional) primarily in the automotive field. Strong and varied business experience, both technical and financial. Areas of expertise: Corporate Business Strategy and Planning Mergers and Acquisitions (led Chrysler team that acquired Jeep from Renault); International Marketing and Product; Corporate and Brand Marketing; Platform Product Planning; Financial Analysis and Control (including capital investment and teardown analysis).
Managed and guided international product and marketing (visiting over 50 countries in Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East).
Recognized for domestic and international business acumen, strategic guidance, product- marketing direction/execution. Registered Professional Engineer -Michigan; Strong ability to make decisions; Very people oriented; Good communicator with management staff and press.

.

Professional Experience

Pinnacle Associates,                   2003 to present

• Executive Vice President 

• Executive Consultant

DaimlerChrysler Corporation - 1962-2002

• General Manager - Minivan Operations - 5 years

• General  Manager - International Product Planning and Marketing - 5 years

• General Manager

• Corporate Marketing - 2 years

• Eagle Brand marketing -2 years

• General Manager - Mergers and Acquisitions - 3 years

• Director - Product Marketing - 3 years

• Director –Long Range Planning / Powertrain Planning - 4 years

• Manager - Cost Estimating / Competitive Vehicle Teardown - 4 years

• Product Planner - 3 years

• Engineer -

• Safety Engineer - 2 years

• Truck Body Engineer - 2 years

• Chassis - 2 years

Other – 1970- 1976

• Lawrence Technology Institute

• College Instructor

• Engineering - 3 years

• Marketing - 3 years

Education

MBA - International Marketing

o   University of Detroit    

Masters - Auto Engineering

o   Chrysler Institute

Positions Held:

 General Manager - Minivan Operations

Developed and controlled the annual Minivan Platform Business Plan.
Managed Business Operations. Product Planning and Marketing staff for the platform team. Represented the Platform in all business pertaining to Minivan Platform team. Chaired Platform Team Decision meetings.

General Manager - International Product Planning and Marketing

Managed international product negotiations for all international markets with country specific Distributors and Corporate Platform Teams (100 countries total, 20 key countries).  Managed marketing plans, actions and funding including agency offices in 20 countries.

General Marketing Manager - Corporate

Managed Corporate Marketing program, including advertising, merchandising, incentives and special corporate programs. ($400M budget)

General Marketing manager - Eagle Car Brand

Launched and managed marketing (advertising, merchandising and incentives for Eagle Car Brand. ($200M budget)

General Manager - Mergers and Acquisitions

Led the ongoing automotive merger/acquisition actions throughout world. Visited all major automotive companies in the world except Ford and GM. Managed team that analyzed, recommended and negotiated actions that led to buyout of AMC Jeep from Renault. ($2 Billion acquisition)

Director - Product Marketing

Managed staff that represented Sales and Marketing in all product decisions. Advised Management on marketing position for product actions. Managed Product Market Research department.

Director – Long Range Planning/Powertrain Planning

Developed and managed Long Range Product Plan. Gained approval of corporate top management and appropriate contributing departments (Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, Procurement & Supply). Presented for Board Approval. Managed mid and long term powertrain actions at corporate level.

Manager – Cost Estimating/Competitive Teardown

Managed and directed Department of Investment Estimating and Reporting for all major product programs. Also managed and directed Department of Competitive Vehicle Teardown and Cost Estimating. Provide top management reviews.