Faraday Future, a California-based global leader in intelligent electric mobility, has announced key personnel changes aimed at enhancing the company’s short- and long-term business objectives. On September 17, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed Koti Meka as the Chief Financial Officer and principal financial officer, effective September 23, 2024. In this role, Meka will manage FF’s Accounting and Finance divisions, reporting directly to Matthias Aydt, FF’s Global CEO.
Additionally, the Company recently appointed Aaron Ma as the Acting Head of EV R&D, effective August 20, 2024. Ma will oversee the FF Global EV R&D department, also reporting to Aydt. On September 19, the Company initiated its dual-brand strategy by unveiling its second brand, Faraday X (FX), along with a launch plan for an initial product lineup that focuses on creating Artificial Intelligence Electric Vehicles (AIEV) that deliver “twice the performance at half the price” for users. In their new roles, Meka and Ma will help drive the strategic initiatives for both the FF and FX brands, including R&D efforts and cost efficiencies during the development and launch of FX.
Meka, 55, has served as the Acting Head of Finance Operations since November 2023, where he managed finance operations and led financial planning and analysis, contributing to process improvements, target setting, and cost-reduction initiatives. He takes over from Jonathan Maroko, the Interim Chief Financial Officer, who resigned effective September 20, 2024, but will continue to support the Company as a consultant.
Prior to his current position, Meka was the Director of Finance (FP&A) from July 2017 to November 2023, and he has held various roles including Operations Controller and Senior Manager of Cost Estimating. Before joining Faraday Future in February 2016, Meka worked at Ford Motor Company from July 2002 to February 2016, focusing on cost optimization, product development finance, and corporate finance, notably leading financial analysis at the Ford Business Services Center in Chennai, India. He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University, and a B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, India.
Ma, who will retain his role as Global Vice President of IAI software R&D, has showcased exceptional strategic vision and leadership, successfully leading teams focused on product innovation and user experience enhancement. Prior to joining Faraday Future, he spent five years at LeEco and seven years as vice president of R&D at Meizu, where he played a crucial role in launching innovative products that contributed to the company’s growth and competitive advantage. With over 20 years of extensive experience, Ma is well-equipped to guide FF’s EV R&D efforts as the company embarks on its next phase of growth and innovation.
“We are thrilled to welcome Koti and Aaron to their new positions within FF. Both bring extensive experience from both within and outside the company and have made significant contributions throughout their tenure,” said Aydt. “I look forward to Koti leveraging his expertise to implement necessary changes in our finance operations, and with Aaron at the helm, I am confident that our EV R&D team will continue to achieve new milestones and further our strategic objectives.”
Aydt also expressed appreciation for Maroko’s ongoing contributions, stating, I am grateful that Jonathan will continue to support us as a consultant. His insights have been invaluable in shaping our cost optimization strategies and ensuring our continued success.
