IONNA Selects Durham, NC, as Headquarters, Announces New Executive Leadership Team

June 11, 2024 , Durham, N.C. -  IONNA, the charging network founded by a coalition of the world’s top automakers, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Kia and Stellantis, announced today the selection of Durham, North Carolina, as its global headquarters. This milestone moment for IONNA comes after receiving regulatory approval and the commencement of operations in February.

With a new headquarters, IONNA can now accelerate its 2024 launch plans. Durham, located in the bustling heart of the Research Triangle, with its thriving research ecosystem and leading universities, stands as the ideal backdrop for IONNA’s operations. The area’s dynamic blend of tech talent and commitment to innovation mirrors IONNA’s own mission to develop and deploy a cutting-edge customer charging experience.

“We are thrilled to call Durham home,” said Seth Cutler, CEO of IONNA. “The area’s established history of research, innovation and its vibrant growing community, make it the perfect place for IONNA to join, thrive and pioneer. I’m excited to grow a cross-industry team that will deliver the IONNA vision from our new home base.”

“IONNA’s decision to make Durham County its home validates our global reputation for the electric-vehicle industry,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “This cutting-edge company and its founding automotive manufacturers will benefit from the innovative ecosystem, highly skilled workforce and central location of North Carolina to take its pioneering technology to market.”

A New Headquarters for the Journey Ahead
IONNA’s new home will enable the company to ramp up operations and begin to reimagine the electric vehicle charging. A physical beacon of the organizations’ commitment to bringing everyone together to tackle great projects in unity, and serving as a think tank, lab, mission control and deployment pad, all in one. Bringing people back together not because they must, but because the energy, the pace and the collaboration required to raise the bar has a gravitational pull on them.

Quarterback Lab for Innovation and Reliability and a Best-in-class Customer Experience
The North Carolina headquarters will also house a Customer Experience Lab, serving as quarterback and central node to seven new satellite labs at each of the founding OEM’s facilities. Playing a pivotal role in accelerated deployment, interoperability testing and continuous improvement of features that work from day one. A framework that will set new standards and benchmarks in the industry. Poised to grow forward at IONNA-speed as new partners join the movement.

Growing Team: Welcoming Expanded Leadership
IONNA also announced the appointment of several key executives to its leadership team, including a CFO, CPO and COO, marking a significant step forward on its commitment to build North America’s leading charging network of 30,000-plus ultra-fast charging stations. The joint venture anticipates opening its first charging stations in the United States in 2024.

Derek Rush joins IONNA as its new chief financial officer. Rush, previously the CFO of bp Pulse, will oversee all financial operations and strategies at IONNA. His extensive experience in financial leadership within the energy sector positions him to steer IONNA toward sustainable growth.

“Joining IONNA is a unique opportunity to contribute to a new company while also helping the industry move forward. I’m thrilled to be part of this key inflection point in the future of sustainable mobility solutions,” Rush commented.

Ricardo Stamatti joins IONNA as chief product officer, bringing a unique vision for the company and key expertise from his previous role as global SVP of Stellantis Energy. Stamatti will drive the vision, strategy and execution of IONNA’s product development and commercial efforts, ensuring that IONNA builds high-fidelity products that meet customers’ most pressing needs and the company’s ambitious business goals.

“I am humbled and excited to have the opportunity join IONNA leading the development of groundbreaking products that will rewrite the current industry script and delight customers across the nation,” Stamatti stated.

Shankar Muthukumar takes on the role of chief operating officer, bringing with him a wealth of results-driven experience from his tenure as general manager of Mortenson's e-mobility division. Muthukumar will manage all operational aspects of IONNA’s expanding network, ensuring that its systems not only raise the bar in reliability and efficiency, but are also scalable to meet the company’s future vision of a genre-defining customer experience.

"I am thrilled to be part of IONNA’s mission to achieve record growth, up-time and quality KPIs and also proudly deliver a 1:1 say-do ratio. The IONNA machine will strive to be a lossless algorithm in translating what we say into how we operate and deliver," said Muthukumar.

These leaders bring a blend of innovation, strategic vision and operational excellence that will propel IONNA forward at a time that the market needs it most. Each executive's unique background and expertise are aligned with IONNA's commitment to set new benchmarks in the industry. In addition to these key appointments, IONNA has also hired other top professionals from various industries and will continue growing the team to help meet the company’s ambitious targets. 

IONNA
IONNA is a rising joint venture founded by seven of the world’s biggest automakers, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Kia and Stellantis. Purpose-built to lead, innovate, create, and drive forward a redefinition of charging as an end-to-end integrated customer experience. Delivering this mission by developing and deploying a trailblazing nationwide network of stations with cutting-edge technology, retail integration, amenities, and unparalleled customer service. Enabling urban and long-distance EV mobility for all with over 30,000 ultra-fast-and-reliable charging points by 2030. IONNA will provide the coverage drivers need, the reliability they deserve, and the amenities they crave. For more information, please visit https://ionna.com.
 
Stellantis
Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA/ Euronext Milan: STLAM/ Euronext Paris: STLAP) is one of the world’s leading automakers aiming to provide clean, safe and affordable freedom of mobility to all. It’s best known for its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys. Stellantis is executing its Dare Forward 2030, a bold strategic plan that paves the way to achieve the ambitious target of becoming a carbon net zero mobility tech company by 2038, while creating added value for all stakeholders. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com.