© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Tesla Model 3s are shown charging in an underground parking lot next to a Tesla store in San Diego, California, U.S., May 30, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo
By Ross Kerber
(Reuters) – Prominent Tesla (NASDAQ:) Inc. investor Ross Gerber said on Friday he plans to notify the electric carmaker that he will run for the board of directors, citing public relations, customer service and succession planning issues.
Gerber said in a phone interview with Reuters that he wants to be seen by Tesla CEO Elon Musk as a “friendly activist,” but the company needs more guidance to handle the challenges. including increasing competition.
“Tesla has let Elon forever be the voice of Tesla. Tesla does not do any organized marketing, does not reach out to the media or any lobbying activities, and that has led to it. to large amounts of FUD,” aka fear, uncertainty, and doubt, Gerber says.
Gerber is the CEO of a wealth management company in California with only about 440,000 shares of Tesla. But he noted KoGuan Leo, Tesla’s third-largest shareholder, tweeted in support of the candidate.
A longtime Tesla speculator, Gerber says he is so frequently quoted by journalists that he has become the de facto voice for the famous company that shut down its own public relations department. .
“Instead of me spending a day doing 14 interviews with reporters around the world, Tesla should have someone do it. And if I’m going to do that, I should be the company’s representative,” Gerber said. speak.
Gerber said he plans to notify Tesla next week of his intention to run for the seat of its eight-member board at its annual meeting in May, and said he hopes Tesla will accept him as a candidate. candidates.
Gerber’s intention to run for the board of directors was previously reported by Bloomberg News.
