Family: Wife, Margherita
Born: Parma, Italy
Nationality: Italian
Languages: Italian, English, French
Education: MBA from MIP Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy; bachelor’s degree in law, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
What was your first automotive job and why were you interested in the industry? My first automotive job was as a managing director for a road sweeper manufacturer. I quickly came to appreciate how this industry continues to make advancements in improving technology and innovation. To this day I’m still very interested in all this industry has to offer.
Your greatest achievement? Professionally, I have been very lucky to have had the chance to lead two very successful turnarounds and launches in midsized Italian companies with international exposure. On a personal level, I consider marrying my wife as my greatest achievement. She is my strength and always supports me in all I do.
What was your biggest failure and what did it teach you? After I finished my MBA I joined an investment bank. When I started I thought I was ready to change the world and take charge of people. I wanted to make things happen and wasn’t trying to find out why people acted the way they did. After about a week I was alone. This experience taught me that if you want to achieve change you have to bring people on board. You can’t do things alone. You need a supportive team.
What is your current challenge at work? One of the big challenges at Landi Renzo is that we are trying to get people worldwide to consider gas as a complementary option to electric-powered cars for passenger cars, light vehicles and for heavy-duty trucks. Gas-powered mobility can bridge the ongoing transition to zero-emissions mobility while providing an immediate reduction in CO2 and particulates. Natural gas, renewable natural gas and hydrogen fuel cells are all part of the future of g-mobility [gas-powered mobility] that we are working on.
What about the auto industry surprises you? This is a challenging industry that surprises and excites me. Now it is more challenging than ever because transformation is happening so fast. When you join this field, you understand the concept of continuous improvement.
What is the best advice you have ever received? I have worked with a lot of managing directors and one of them once said to me that to be a good leader you have to be ready to make decisions involving the team. Sometimes you are right, sometimes you are wrong. But it’s important for a leader to make decisions.
What advice would you give to a person considering a career in the auto industry? I would tell them that this industry changes a lot, so they have to be willing to make continuous improvements. You also need to be diversified.
What job do you really want to have in the future? I really like where I am right now. At 43, I am quite young to be a CEO at such a good company. I would like to continue to work at this level in the future and hopefully establish Landi as even more of a leader in g-mobility in the future.
What do you do to relax? Three times a week I try to go jog for at least 40 minutes while listening to music. I leave early, around 5 a.m. It really relaxes me. I also like to read a lot.
What is your pet peeve? I am a very direct guy. I always say what I think so I don’t like it when people aren’t straight with me. And I don’t like it when people aren’t willing to change.
What was your first car? My first car was a Ford Fiesta. It was fantastic and I have a lot of good memories from that time.
Current car? I drive an Audi A4 Avant g-tron, which is powered by both gasoline and compressed natural gas.
If you were a car, which one would you be? I’m a big fan of hydrogen. The car that I would like to be isn’t on the market yet, but hopefully it will be in the future. It is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio powered by a hydrogen fuel cell.
Career highlights
April 2017-present: Group CEO, Landi Renzo, Corte Tegge, Cavriago, Italy
December 2016-April 2017: Group general manager, Landi Renzo, Corte Tegge
2015-2016: Group managing director, Dulevo International, Fontanellato, Italy
2013-2016: Executive director, Lampogas, Parma, Italy
2012: Managing director, Dulevo International and Lampogas, Bianconese di Fontevivo, Italy
2005-2011: Roles of increasing responsibility in finance at international and national banks
