Exclusive-Tesla IT exec with no traditional car-sales experience is running sales, sources say

Tesla is shaking things up in its North American sales team by reportedly appointing an IT executive to lead the division. While it’s unclear whether this signals a strategic pivot or just internal reshuffling, it’s an unusual move—sales leadership typically comes from, well, sales backgrounds.

Editor’s Note: Tesla’s known for unconventional decisions, but putting an IT expert in charge of sales raises eyebrows. Is this a tech-driven overhaul of how cars are sold, or just Elon Musk’s latest wild card? Either way, it’s worth watching—because when Tesla zigzags, the auto industry tends to notice.

Tesla has put an IT executive with no background in traditional car sales in charge of its sales operations, according to insider sources. This move raises eyebrows in an industry where dealership experience is often seen as crucial, but it fits Tesla’s pattern of shaking up conventional auto norms—like its direct-to-consumer sales model.

Editor’s Note: Tesla’s known for doing things differently, and this latest leadership choice is no exception. While it might seem risky to hand sales over to someone without the usual car-dealer pedigree, it could also signal a bigger shift—prioritizing tech-driven sales strategies over old-school tactics. For Tesla watchers, it’s another sign the company isn’t afraid to rewrite the rulebook, for better or worse.

Federal Reserve official Austan Goolsbee is warning that uncertainty around potential new tariffs—especially on imports like Chinese goods—could delay the Fed’s plans to cut interest rates. Basically, if trade tensions flare up and prices rise because of tariffs, the Fed might hold off on lowering borrowing costs to avoid fueling inflation.

Editor’s Note: This matters because interest rates affect everything from mortgage payments to business loans. If the Fed keeps rates high for longer, it could mean pricier loans and slower economic growth. Goolsbee’s comments hint that trade policy—not just inflation data—could be a wild card in the Fed’s next moves.

An astronomer who also serves as a CEO has placed both the CEO and Chief People Officer (CPO) of their company on leave after a video of them at a concert went viral. The details of the video aren’t specified, but the reaction suggests it caused enough controversy—or at least distraction—to warrant temporary removal from their roles.

Editor’s Note: When high-profile executives behave in ways that draw public scrutiny, it can quickly become a reputational headache for their organizations. This story highlights how personal actions—even outside of work—can have professional consequences, especially in leadership roles where optics matter. It’s also a reminder that viral moments don’t just affect celebrities; they can upend corporate dynamics, too.

A panel of expert advisers to the U.S. FDA has voted against recommending approval for Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s experimental combination treatment for PTSD. The decision casts doubt on the drug’s path to market, as the FDA often—but not always—follows its advisers' guidance.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a setback for Otsuka—it’s a blow for PTSD patients hoping for new treatment options. The FDA’s advisers raised concerns about the drug’s effectiveness, which means the agency might reject it outright or demand more data. Either way, it’s a reminder of how high the bar is for mental health meds, even when there’s a clear need for better therapies.