Guy Mannino, former president and CEO of PirelliTire North America (PTNA), at least agrees with the current presidentialcandidates on one thing... it's time for a change. In his own words,Mannino is "calling on all retired and current CEOs of corporate America tojoin with me and just stop talking 'green' and start driving 'green'!"
"Now is the time for corporate America, as well as Federal, State and localgovernments, to take action and proclaim our independence from oil andgas," he continues. "Now is the time for electric vehicles that lower fuelcosts, as well as combat pollution and global warming."
Strange for a man who has spent the better part of the past 25 yearsdriving high-performance cars on road and track.
Mannino, a veteran executive with 28 years of international sales,marketing and manufacturing experience, has a degree in ChemicalEngineering from the University of Rome and a Masters in e-Business.Mannino's career with Pirelli spanned three continents (Europe, SouthAmerica and North America) where he managed multi-million-dollar investmentprojects, including site definitions for manufacturing, warehousing anddistribution centers. His tenure at PTNA was highlighted by skyrocketingsales and a strong brand image. In addition, Mannino developed outstandingrelationships with state and local governments.
Mannino's commitment to "clean and green technology" is so strong that heleft Pirelli last fall to found Verdek, a consulting and trading companywith corporate headquarters in Rome and offices in Connecticut and Rome,Italy. Verdek-EV, the e-commerce division, was created to market and sella line of ZAP electric vehicles and portable energy devices to helpbusinesses and consumers become more efficient.
"We need to stop blaming the oil companies and start taking actionourselves," commented Mannino. "If every corporate fleet in America wouldmake the decision to convert 20% of their fleets to electric, the impactwould be significant and immediate."
Based in Santa Rosa, Calif., ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) stands for 'Zero AirPollution' and offers a full line of Xebra electric cars and trucks, Zapinoscooters and off-road vehicles, as well as charging accessories.
"We fully agreed that the time is now to make the switch from gas toelectric," said ZAP CEO Steven Schneider. "This is the easiest way tostart saving money on gas and, at the same time, helping the environment."
"I have done the research and am convinced that the technology is here; theprice point is right," states Mannino.
