Veteran Chipotle executive Jack Hartun was appointed to a member of Tesla’s board of directors on Thursday, according to Tesla’s filing with the SEC. Additions to Hearton’s boards come as Tesla works quietly to complete a 1950s-style diner and Los Angeles charging station.
Hartung brings more than 20 years of experience to Tesla’s board of directors as Chipotle CFO, President and Chief Strategy Officer. He oversaw all finance and accounting at Chipotle, growing supply chain, strategy, safety and asset protection into over 3,700 restaurants across the US and around the world.
Prior to Chipotle, Hartun spent nearly 20 years at McDonald’s, where he served as VP and CFO for the restaurant chain’s partner brand group.
Hartung’s business and financial insights are likely to be transferable across the industry, but his debut on the Tesla board is due to the company preparing to launch a charging station in LA with the above-mentioned retrofutistic diner. Last August, Tesla Diner Experience specialists worked with the charging team to promote their role in building excellent customer service in up-and-coming diners.
TechCrunch contacted Tesla and Hartun to learn whether Chipotle executives would provide strategic insights and networks of contacts in the food and beverage industry.
Tesla’s regulatory submissions announcing Hartun’s appointment also reveal related party transactions. His son-in-law has been working as a Tesla Service Technician since December 2016, bringing home a salary of $124,000 last year. Tesla says the salary is in line with the company’s standard compensation practices.
Hartung will begin duties on the board of directors on June 1st, including the Audit Committee. He renounced his ability to collect cash compensation and stock compensation, as other board members did.