Slate Hires New CEO Peter Faricy. Ex-CEO Chris Barman appointed new role

[ElectricShitbox]

With all the people associated from or coming from Amazon, I’m sure it’ll be the case of getting “amazonified”. I’m still interested in the Slate, but I’m sure Big Tech is looking at this closely and looking at other ways to monetize aside from accessories and parts for the Slate.

The "mid -twenties" price includes a contract to deliver packages a few hours a day.

 

[motorolas]

The "mid -twenties" price includes a contract to deliver packages a few hours a day.

Throw in free network charging and I’ll sign up for a few shifts.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

But will the delivery fee be waived for Prime members?

 

[cadblu]

This is a strategic move for Slate on many levels. I think Barman is better positioned setting up the production line, and Faricy can focus on the more pressing administrative issues. I think he will leverage his marketplace experience in attracting third party accessory makers into Slate’s arena.

With today’s announcement I now have more confidence in Slate’ management team.

 

[Luxrage]

This makes me nervous. Let the enshitification begin.

The en-Saturn-fication.

In all honesty I don't think it's a huge red flag. I've worked on bringing up a huge factory startup like that and upper management tends to move around as rolls fill out and more specialized areas start running. Saw it all the time.

 

[AZFox]

With all the people associated from or coming from Amazon, I’m sure it’ll be the case of getting “amazonified”. I’m still interested in the Slate, but I’m sure Big Tech is looking at this closely and looking at other ways to monetize aside from accessories and parts for the Slate.

I share your concern, but oh boy would that be an about-face on the main point of the Slate's original reason for existence, that being to provide a simple and reliable vehicle you just buy and drive for a long time with no complications.

 

[KevinRS]

Big tech will look to sell you stuff for the Slate without having to even touch Slate. They can sell you radios, media players, all kinds of stuff I'm not thinking of at the moment, all the companies can, and sell it to you direct or through all the marketplaces.

 

[AZFox]

I think Chris Barman was in a little over her head.

Now she's able to concentrate on what she's most qualified to do. She has opportunity to flourish in her new role.

Peter Faricy doesn't need to know about automotive engineering. His skills are business skills.

From the profile page @SparkYellow linked:

Faricy also acts as an Operating Advisor at Bessemer Venture Partners, helping portfolio companies accelerate growth, improve go-to-market execution, and optimize leadership effectiveness.​

 

[KevinRS]

I don't know how much she was over her head, she just isn't an actor, and doesn't have a lot of training for making what are basically commercials. That was a tiny part of her role.

 

[AZFox]

I don't know how much she was over her head, she just isn't an actor, and doesn't have a lot of training for making what are basically commercials. That was a tiny part of her role.

I wasn't referring to that part.

Bootstrapping a company of that size requires some executive skills that are outside her area of expertise. I don't mean that to be a knock against her. It's completely understandable given the scope of what's required to not just do it, but do it well.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I think Chris Barman was in a little over her head.

I understand you might not intend it this way, but it sounds unnecessarily harsh.

It's easy to speculate the reasons for this change in management. Personally, I suspect the current military action against Iran and its impact on the economy plays a role. But in the end, the decision belongs to Slate and its board of directors.

From the Newsweek article:

Slate is expanding its leadership team and shuffling the organizational tree to match the next steps of its growth as it readies to convert reservations to orders by the end of the year.

“Slate was built with an obsessive, heads-down focus on reinventing the vehicle by rethinking the product from the ground up,” Slate co-founder William Barker exclusively told Newsweek. “This discipline is what got us here—and as we enter the next phase, with customers soon able to customize, order and buy their Slate, this is exactly the right moment for Peter to join. He is a pioneer of marketplace businesses and a highly strategic leader, and his experience will help us build not just a great vehicle, but a great long-term company.”

 

[E90400K]

This is a demotion for Barman, from CEO to President. If she was effective as CEO she would have picked and hired the President of Vehicle Implementation.

The news reports are just spin.

Sad news IMO.

 

[E90400K]

I'm still waiting for Slate to announce the results of the Series C funding round, which was started way back last summer. They've very quiet about that, aside from announcing it in June of 2025. Which is odd, because they were crowing to every media outlet in site that they had $700 million from Series A and B.

OTOH, I imagine they crowed about the $700 million to motivate and reassure potential Series C investors. Maybe there is no Series D at this time, so why share the results...

Bezos is worth north of $240B. In 2025 he dropped $100M on his girlfriend just to get married and fly her into space. He gave $100M to Eva Longoria. He drops gifts of $100M all over the place to people.

Funding should not be Slate's issue with Uncle Jeff around.

 

[AmatuerX]

The en-Saturn-fication.

In all honesty I don't think it's a huge red flag. I've worked on bringing up a huge factory startup like that and upper management tends to move around as rolls fill out and more specialized areas start running. Saw it all the time.

LOL, I hope you're right. 🤞

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

I see three things here; A move from startup/concept to production. A need to refocus from base vehicle production to accessory production. (That part will be complicated.)* And a possible reposition for an IPO?

*How many SUV square backs to produce? Fast backs? Rear seats? etc. Where will these be made?

On a more general note. 20 years ago they were predicting the "custom made individual car" becoming the norm. Sort of early AI manufacturing. We may be seeing this.