Just two weeks after Chrysler Financial announced that it was exiting the auto leasing business, the division’s top two executives have decided to step down. Chrysler Financial president and CEO Paul Knauss and company COO William Jones will both retire, effective immediately.
Thomas Gilman will take over for Knauss, and will hold the titles of CEO and vice chairman – intended to help Chrysler Financial “focus on its core business”. Gilman has previously severed as Chrysler Financial CFO and was most recently a senior advisor for Cerberus – the private equity owner of Chrysler.
Darryl Jackson has been appointed Chrysler Financial COO and will also handle the company’s sales and marketing. Jackson previously headed Chrysler’s U.S. sales.
