MOVE's Brylawski joins Bright Automotive ∨

Snowmass, Colorado, January 9, 2009 -- Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and Bright Automotive today announced that Michael Brylawski will leave his position as Vice President of Rocky Mountain Institute’s MOVE transport practice and join RMI spin-off, Bright Automotive, as VP of Corporate Strategy. Brylawski will continue to serve RMI as a Senior Fellow and continue to collaborate as a thought leader on RMI’s mobility programs.

The transition of one of RMI’s key personnel into the automotive industry at this critical time illustrates RMI’s focus on, and fluency with the front lines of authentic, market-oriented solutions.  

“The automotive industry is at a real crossroads, with an unprecedented opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime shift to new technologies, platforms, and business models. Bright Automotive is a focused new company, with exceptional people, that is at the forefront of this shift,” said Brylawski. “RMI has a deep bench in mobility expertise, and RMI’s three decades of leadership in green transportation will continue with its exciting initiatives in electric vehicle infrastructure (Smart Garage), oil policy, transformational trucking, and mobility systems.”

Indiana-based Bright Automotive is building an economic 100-mpg, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The company’s goal is to reinvigorate the American transportation sector through innovative, high volume automotive solutions based on economics, fuel efficiency, superior design and lightweight materials. Bright Automotive has assembled a team of seasoned automotive executives who pioneered hybrid and electric vehicles for over 15 years with major automakers.

“Michael is an automotive expert, an innovator, and an insightful business strategist,” said Bright Automotive CEO and President John Waters.  “We’ve built our company around people such as Michael who have tremendous industry insight and also have the vision to bring dramatic change to the transportation sector.  With his skills and experience added to our team, Bright Automotive is even better positioned to meet our ambitious goals.”

RMI’s MOVE Team will continue their transformational research and consulting efforts under new director Kristine Chan-Lizardo. Educated at MIT and Stanford, Kristine brings eight years of experience working as a consultant with IDEO, a design innovation consultancy headquartered in Palo Alto, CA.  Prior to IDEO, she spent four years with Ford Motor Company.  Her trans-disciplinary leadership in both the automotive and building sector make her a tremendous asset to MOVE.

RMI has also hired automotive and trucking industry veteran Hiroko Kawai. With experience at Eaton, Deloitte, Covisint, and Ford, Kawai will lead MOVE’s trucking transformation and business development efforts. Additionally, Laura Schewel has been elevated to MOVE leadership, including leading RMI’s work on the Smart Garage Initiative, and lightweight safety work. RMI Chief Scientist Amory Lovins will continue as RMI’s principal thought leader in green transport.

 “We appreciate Michael’s great contributions to RMI, and are excited for his new opportunity with our spin-off Bright Automotive. With a strong, experienced team and great new leadership, MOVE will continue RMI’s groundbreaking work in sustainable mobility” stated Michael Potts, RMI’s CEO.

For more information, or to schedule an interview with Michael Brylawski, Kristine Chan-Lizardo, Hiroko Kawai, or Laura Schewel, or another RMI expert, please contact Cory Lowe at 970-927-7345 office, 970-376-2911 cell, or clowe@rmi.org. 

For information about Bright Automotive, please contact Don Marshall at 202-429-4932 office, 202-365-1613 cell, or donmarshall@rationalpr.com.