Leading the Future

As a company, Aptera draws its strength from its team. Carefully selected from across a number of production environments, the Aptera team is composed of respected automotive experts and accomplished executives from Southern California's high technology industries.

 

Aptera was founded in 2006 by visionary and technology innovator Steve Fambro and accomplished entrepreneur Chris Anthony.  Collectively, the two founders saw a future where transportation was more efficient and we were less reliant on our world’s diminishing oil reserves as the fuel for personal mobility. Today, Aptera stands as the world’s one vehicle company dedicated to the goal of making the most efficient personal transportation in the world.

 

Find out more about the founders…

Steve Fambro, Founder

Steve Fambro, the founder of Aptera, drew his inspiration to create an electric vehicle while sitting in interminable Southern California traffic. As he watched motorcycles and cars zip by in the carpool lane while his own car sat motionless, he became motivated to design a vehicle that would allow him to travel freely in the carpool lane. This vehicle would be safe, comfortable and more fuel-efficient than anything ever produced. Hence, the idea for Aptera was conceived.

Steve holds a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from the University of Utah. Prior to founding Aptera, he worked as an engineer for a leading genetics company called Illumina, where he managed multiple projects from concept to reality that, ultimately, contributed to the company’s patent portfolio.

Steve began tinkering on the future Aptera vehicle is his garage in 2004 and, since then, getting the company off the ground has been his passion, replacing all of his other hobbies and outside interests. Thankfully, Steve’s wife Tricia is very understanding. The couple lives in Carlsbad with their daughter, Phoebe.

 

Chris Anthony, Co-founder

Chris Anthony, a career entrepreneur, has built successful businesses in a number of industries, including segment-leading wake boat manufacturer Epic Boat LLC. It was for Epic that he developed the patent pending resin infusion process that serves as the backbone to Aptera’s composite body technology. The process allows Aptera to produce structural composite systems that are many times stronger at a fraction of the weight. This innovation ultimately led Chris to join with founder Steve Fambro to create the world’s most energy-efficient vehicle.

Chris holds a finance degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where he won a Scholar Athlete Award in Track and Field. He is also a licensed stockbroker, a certified computer programmer and a network management professional.

When not at Aptera’s headquarters, Chris spends time with his wife and his officemate, Dexter (the dog).

 

Meet the rest of the team...

Paul B. Wilbur, President & CEO

Paul Wilbur, a native of Kansas, is a career automotive professional with more than 26 years of experience. As a young man Paul veered away from the family concrete business to chase his first true love - cars. His first shot came in the early 80’s when he joined Ford’s famed Team Taurus as a financial analyst. After four years under the "blue oval," Paul moved to Chrysler where he enjoyed a 17-year career as one of the company’s visionary product leaders. During his tenure Paul served as General Manager of Jeep and Dodge Car, Director of Product Planning, Director of Leasing, and Director of International Business, where he managed relationships between Chrysler and Mitsubishi.

Paul’s next big step came in 2002 when he became President and Chief Executive Officer of ASC, Inc., a top-tier automotive supplier. As a key supplier to Toyota and GM, Paul learned the Toyota Production System first-hand, as well as strategies for low capital expense vehicle manufacturing. After ASC was acquired, he continued with the company, as well as legendary specialty vehicle maker Saleen. Paul carried the joint post for another year, but he came to a realization that the world of transportation was moving and he wanted to move with it. So when Paul got the call from Aptera founder Steve Fambro, he accepted the challenge of developing the world’s most efficient vehicle company.

Paul holds a bachelor’s degree and MBA in finance from the University of Kansas. He spends his free time in a constant pursuit of his vehicle passions like customizing cars with his sons.

 

Laura Marion, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Laura Marion joined Aptera in September 2008 as the Chief Financial Officer. She has worked in finance for more than 15 years and has extensive experience in business planning and analysis, accounting, financial reporting, cash management, tax reporting, mergers and acquisitions, internal controls and risk management.

Prior to joining Aptera, Laura was the CFO for two $70 million organizations: Specialty Vehicle Acquisition Corp. and Saleen, Inc. In that role, she led the leadership team to make significant reductions in the cost structure, which reduced the breakeven level by more than 30 percent at both companies.

Laura, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in accounting from University of Michigan, resides in Southern California with her husband Todd and their two children. An avid runner, she consistently runs seven miles a day.

 

Marques McCammon, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)

Marques McCammon joined Aptera in November 2008 with more than a decade’s experience in the automotive industry, including stints with Chrysler Corporation, American Specialty Cars (ASC) and, most recently, Saleen Performance Vehicles, Inc.

Throughout his automotive tenure, Marques has received several accolades. Amongst these honors, at just 24 years-old, he drew media attention as the "Father of the Neon SRT," the first vehicle to wear the badge of Chrysler’s new performance division. Five years later, Marques was recognized by Crain Communications as one of Detroit’s top 40 executives under the age of 40. He was also a Young Leaders Nominee for the Automobile Hall of Fame in 2005 and 2006.

A native of New York City, Marques received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from North Carolina A&T State University and University of Michigan, respectively. He and his wife live in Southern California with their two children (and have a third on the way).

 

Kathy MacDougall, Vice President, Human Resources

With nearly two decades of human resources and operations management experience, Kathy MacDougall was hired as Aptera’s Vice President, Human Resources. Her expertise lies in recruitment and employment, compensation administration, employee relations, and training and development.

Prior to joining Aptera, Kathy worked for Select University Technologies, Inc., a start-up company in Newport Beach, Calif., where she built the human resources, information technology, legal and facilities infrastructures to support 12 other start-up businesses in differing industries and market spaces.

Kathy received a dual-degree in human resource management and business administration from Westminster College. She also holds an executive M.B.A. and a Ph.D in organizational leadership from University of Phoenix.

When not working, Kathy enjoys spending time outdoors. A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, where she learned to ski and mountain bike, she now includes sailing and flying among her favorite activities.

 

David Oakley, Vice President, Manufacturing

With more than 25 years in manufacturing, David Oakley is Aptera’s Vice President, Manufacturing.

Prior to joining Aptera, David spent nearly eight years at Callaway Golf. As Callaway’s Senior Vice-President of Golf Club Operations, he was responsible for golf club manufacturing, supply-chain, engineering, quality, facilities, and distribution and warehousing. Before joining Callaway, David spent five years as a consultant on process optimization, plant layout, and supply chain management for companies that included Rohm & Haas and Fieldcrest Cannon.

David holds a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terra Haute, Ind., where he also studied Russian translation. He lives in San Diego with his wife, Denise, and their son, Matthew, who loves that his dad makes "cool vehicles for a living." In their spare time, they enjoy going to the beach and playing tour guide to other Aptera employees and their families.

 

Tom Reichenbach, Chief Engineer

Tom Reichenbach joined Aptera after 26 years with Ford Motor Company, where he developed on-board electronic systems for Ford Racing and the first fuel injection system on a Champ Car. He also served as vehicle dynamics supervisor for Ford Racing, providing tech support to Winston Cup, Trans Am and Formula One teams, and he was the vehicle engineering manager on projects that included the Ford GT and the Mustang Shelby GT 500.

Tom first began working on cars at the age of 15 when he, his brother and father restored their first of four corvettes. Tom’s love of cars led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University and, later, to secure a master’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Kentucky.

A native of Bay City, Mich., Tom resides in Southern California with his wife and their three children. He spends all of his spare time tweaking race cars.

Board of Directors

• Bob Kavner, Chairman

Former chairman CitySearch, Ironport, Overture and Earthlink, in addition to being the former CEO of AT&Ts Multimedia Products & CFO- AT&T corporate

Bill Gross, Board Member - Idealab founder

Doug McPherson, Board Member - Idealab General Counsel

Michael Johnson, Board Member - Esenjay Petroleum, Owner

Steve Fambro - Founder Aptera Motors

Chris Anthony - Founder Aptera Motors - Founder Epic Boats, CEO Flux Power

Board of Advisors

Don Beall - ex Chairman, Rockwell

Steve McGowan, ex CFO, Sun Microsystems

Skip Armstrong - ex Navy Admiral & Naval Aviator

Bill Warner - ex VP-Sales, Silicon Graphics and other startups

 

Culture Shock

We feel that where you work is just as important as what you're working on. For this reason, we've put a lot of time, energy and smarts into how we've cultivated our work environment. We were born in SoCal, so surfboards jammed in cars; Hawaiian shirts (thanks Paulus), and energy drinks are regulars. You'll also notice the second you walk in the doors of our new, swanky facility that we value a transparency in our layout, which means no "executive" chairs and desks or wood paneling. And everyone gets the same (adjustable) desk and (super comfy, ergo) chair. Don't get misled by our laidback work style though, we come into work ready to get the job done.

Teamwork

Although usually just written on motivational posters, we actually believe in it. Our small, smart teams work well together and often jump in to help others who are lagging. You'll be working right alongside brilliant minds from multiple industries. Not to name drop, but a few would be Dell, Dodge, Saleen, Chrysler, Ford, Callaway and many more. Basically, you'll be working with some industry superstars (and others that will be soon). So if this sounds interesting, drop us a line, or check out job availabilities.

Oh, and even though we're still a small company, we offer big benies, respectful salaries, and full healthcare. And how can we forget the birthday parties, free snacks and the sea breeze? It's San Diego!

Let the Work Begin!

Check out the positions we're recruiting for below. We'll often update the list, so check back if you don't see your field up here.

Please submit your resumé for our files to resumes@aptera.com, in one of the following file formats. (nothing over 3MB please):

• .doc
• .docx
• .rtf
• .pdf