Chrysler PR Head Vines Resigns

Jason Vines

Chrysler LLC vice president of communications

Company says realignment in the works. by Marty Padgett (2007-12-

Jason Vines has resigned.

Chrysler says that Vines' resignation will take effect immediately, though the well-liked PR guru will stay on for a transition period. Perhaps more important for the media community, Chrysler says the change will coincide with a realignment of the public relations department, folding it into the company's human resources department.

David Barnas will take on some of Vines' duties, according to the full release posted below. Mike Aberlich, another longtime PR executive at Chrysler, announced his resignation last week.

Vines had served under all the recent iterations of Chrysler, as a PR officer in the old Chrysler Corporation as well as PR chief under DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group. He also served for some time as the head of Ford public relations during the Firestone tire recall and at Nissan.

PRESS RELEASE

Chrysler LLC today announced that Jason H. Vines, its Vice President-Communications has
elected to resign and, therefore, the company is announcing a realignment
of its Corporate Communications Department.

"Now that Chrysler is an independent company again, we are taking every
opportunity to realign functions in a more holistic manner that allows us
to more effectively drive company strategy," said Bob Nardelli, Chairman
and CEO. "As part of this realignment, the corporate communications
function will now report to Nancy Rae, Senior Vice President-Human
Resources."

Several executives in the corporate communications department will
report directly to Rae. David Barnas, who has been in the corporate
communications department for six years, will be responsible for internal
and corporate communications, which includes dealing with the news media.

Vines' resignation is effective immediately, although he has agreed to
remain at Chrysler through the end of December to assist in the transition.
"Jason has served Chrysler well, and we are very grateful for his many
contributions over the years," said Nardelli.

Vines began his career at Chrysler Corporation in 1983, serving first
as an economics researcher in the Labor Relations Department and later
through various assignments in Employee Communications and Public
Relations. He left Chrysler in 1998 and became Vice
President-Communications for Nissan North America. In February 2000, he was
appointed Vice President-Communications for Ford Motor Company. He returned
to Chrysler in 2003 as Vice President- Communications.

"This was a tough decision, considering the many talented, longtime
friends I have throughout the company," Vines said. "I wish them all the
best and will continue to root for them."

Mike Aberlich, who has served the company as Director, Corporate and
Internal Communications, also announced last week that he has decided to
retire at the end of this year. "We thank Mike for his dedication and
contributions to the company," Nardelli added.

Chrysler LLC, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler,
Jeep, Dodge and Mopar brand vehicles and products. Total sales worldwide in
2006 were 2.7 million vehicles. Sales outside of North America were the
highest in a decade with an increase of 15 percent over 2005. On the heels
of the company's record product launch last year (Chrysler launched 10
all-new vehicles in 2006), the company extended that streak with eight
all-new products in 2007. Its product lineup features some of the world's
most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Commander and
Dodge Charger. Chrysler is a unit of Cerberus Capital Management.