Ralph Gilles named to Black Enterprise Hot List
Chrysler Product Design Director Ralph Gilles has been named to the Black Enterprise Hot List as one of
America's most powerful players under 40. Black Enterprise is one of the country's foremost business
publications targeting the African American community and has 3.8 million readers. Black Enterprise's "Hot
List" honors young African Americans who are transforming many industries, including media, sports, business,
entertainment, politics, science and others.
Gilles shares the spotlight with the likes of Sean "Diddy" Combs, Sam Martin (VP of HBO Films), Susan Chapman (Global
Head of Operations – Citigroup Realty Services) and Tiger Woods, and is the only automotive professional on the list.
Full release is available after the jump.
Auburn Hills, Mich., Nov. 30, 2005
Ralph V. Gilles, Director Truck Exterior and Interior Design Studio, Chrysler Group, has been named to Black Enterprise magazines Hot List: Americas Most Powerful Players Under 40, to be featured in the December 2005 issue.
The list profiles bold, young innovators who are transforming the world of business, entertainment, media, sports, science and politics. Gilles is being recognized as an extraordinary professional in the African-American community.
As the only individual recognized from the automotive industry, Black Enterprise has acknowledged Gilles as a major influencer of automotive design, said Nancy Rae, Senior Vice President Human Resources, Chrysler Group. It is a great honor to have Black Enterprise recognize Gilles for his contributions to the Chrysler Group and the African-American community.
Gilles, named to his current position earlier this year, was also the lead designer of the Dodge Magnum, Chrysler 300C and Dodge Charger. In addition, he was the director of the M80 concept vehicle, and was the primary interior designer for the Dodge Viper GTS/R, Dodge ESX2 and Jeep Jeepster concept vehicles. He also contributed to production versions of the 2003 Dodge Viper and 2002 Jeep Liberty. In his spare time, Gilles serves as a part-time instructor at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.
In addition to being named to Black Enterprises Hot List, in 2005 Gilles received the Innovation Award from NV magazine, the NDesign award for artistry at the NDIGO Foundation Gala and the Presidents Award at the Black Engineer of the Year Awards Ceremony.
Others named to the 2005 list include: Shawn D. Baldwin, CEO Capital Management Group Securities; Sean Diddy Combs, Chairman & CEO Bad Boy Entertainment; Susan Chapman, Global Head of Operations Citigroup Realty Services; Beyonce Knowles, Singer and Actress; Sam Martin, Vice President HBO Films; Soledad OBrien, Anchor and Reporter American Morning, CNN; Will Smith, Producer and Actor Overbook Entertainment; H. Philip Salmon, Vice President, Corporate Treasurer MetLife; and Tiger Woods, Professional Golfer.
In June 2005, Black Enterprise selected DaimlerChrysler as one of its 30 Best Companies for Diversity.
Since 1970, Black Enterprise has been the premier business and investment resource for African Americans, providing business advice and information to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs and decision makers. The magazine has a monthly circulation of 3.8 million readers and is considered an authority for business news and trends.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Craig 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Gilles is well deserving of any accolades bestowed upon him and his story is nothing short of the "American Dream". His designs were the foundation for turning around DCX and I'd love to see what he can do with a two door coupe next time around the block!
Being that he's the only black profesional from the automotive industry on the list however is a sad testament to the lack of diversity within the corporate ranks of the Big 3.
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Craig 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Gilles is well deserving of any accolades bestowed upon him and his story is nothing short of the "American Dream". His designs were the foundation for turning around DCX and I'd love to see what he can do with a two door coupe next time around the block!
Being that he's the only black profesional from the automotive industry on the list however is a sad testament to the lack of diversity within the corporate ranks of the Big 3.
Reply
mike 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Kudos on a the 300C and the Magnum. They are the lungs of DCX in the US. I'm not a truck or a viper person so i can't speak to them but the ESX2 a la Insight does need to loose its dress. That is Honda's problem with the insight. Fenderskirts no longer represent the futuristic now that we are out of the age of the
Jetsons. This guy does make a mean street bear though.
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required 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Okay, hooray for him, whatever. Must be a slow news day at the ol' autoblog.
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djbango 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
congrats, I hope he along with other talented automotive designers help bring back the domestic car manufacturers, and bring the consumers stunning vehicles in the process
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WillDaThrill 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
required
Ok, what use did your post serve. You must not have anything to do on a Sunday but critique a site.
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Rene Curry 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Changing the subject sightly...Branding. Every company in China is on the branding bandwagon to attempt to get higher prices & margins. Look at clothes, what entices people to buy brands over lower cost items. Usually reputation & the perceived upscale coolness. Then these same brands morph into special editions.
What I am leading up to here is...why can't the auto companies leverage on promoting their designers. The "Gilles" collection? His name could be on the premium version of the car he designed. Make the car designers famous like clothes designers, football stars, etc...
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Corey W. 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Rene,
Everyone is not into branding, it actually turns some people off. If I can avoid it, I never buy branded items, and it would probably be the same for my car, if anything, I want my name on it, not someone elses.
Just my two...
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