FRANKFURT, Germany >> Volkswagen’s new CEO said Friday that the automaker must “significantly step up the pace” as it pushes into electric and self-driving vehicle technologies and shakes up its culture in the wake of a scandal over diesel emissions.
Herbert Diess said a new management structure bundling the company’s dozen brands in just three divisions would mean faster decisions as the company implements a broad strategy aimed at keeping up with changes in how people use cars.
Diess, 59, was named Thursday as the German automaker’s new boss, replacing longtime insider Matthias Mueller. Diess came to Volkswagen only two years ago from competitor BMW.
Backpage.com founder freed on $1 million bond
PHOENIX >> A founder of the classified advertising site Backpage.com was released from custody Friday after spending a week in jail on charges alleging that he knowingly published ads for sexual services and laundered money.
Michael Lacey walked out of the federal courthouse in Phoenix after posting a $1 million bond and declined to speak with reporters about the charges against him.
His release came a day after authorities revealed that Backpage.com CEO Carl Ferrer pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge in Arizona and state money laundering charges in California.
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ON THE MOVE
Rose Kirland, district director of District 49 Toastmasters Hawaii, has announced that Suzanne Young, chief executive officer of the Honolulu Board of Realtors, will be honored and bestowed with the prestigious District 49 Communication and Leadership Award for 2017-2018 at the University of Hawaii at Manoa Campus Ballroom on May 5.
Young was also recently honored as one of Pacific Business News’ 2018 “Women Who Mean Business,” for which she was chosen from a nomination pool of more than 100 female business leaders in the state.
As leader of one of the state’s largest trade organizations, Young is committed to the community advocating for homeownership as well as giving her time to do community activities that have long been important to her, including having been active and supportive to District 49 Toastmasters over the years.
