Scout Motors Appoints Chief Production Officer, Begins Local Hiring in South Carolina
(August 28, 2023) – Scout Motors Inc. (“Scout Motors”) announced today that Dr. Jan Spies will join the company as Chief Production Officer, effective early 2024. In this role, Spies will lead manufacturing of Scout Motors’ all-purpose, all-electric truck and SUV, slated for production by the end of 2026, and oversee the launch of its new manufacturing facility in South Carolina, where the company has now begun local hiring.
“Jan is the ideal leader to turn the ambitious vision of Scout Motors into a reality,” said Scout Motors CEO and President Scott Keogh. “His vast expertise and visionary approach to production management will be invaluable as we establish world-class manufacturing operations. Additionally, the initiation of hiring for our South Carolina facility marks an exciting milestone as we work towards building a dynamic team that will help us shape the future of all-electric transportation.”
A veteran automotive production expert, Spies comes to Scout Motors with a storied background spanning more than two decades at the Volkswagen Group, providing him with extensive knowledge of plant operations. His impressive track record of developing multiple flagship projects includes the Volkswagen Group of America’s manufacturing campus in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which opened in 2011 and now produces more than 250,000 vehicles per year.
Spies currently serves as Head of Planning and Production Technology for Volkswagen AG, a position he has held since 2019, and has previously held multiple other production leadership roles. He holds a doctorate degree in mechanical engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.
Scout Motors has now hired more than a dozen employees in South Carolina for the company’s new manufacturing facility in Blythewood, near Columbia. Recent leadership hires include Punam Patel as South Carolina Liaison, Corey Epps as HR Director, and Wendy Bashnan as Director of Security & Fire Protection. Patel previously worked in External Affairs for MUSC Health and served on Gov. Henry McMaster’s AccelerateSC Covid-19 Response Team. Epps joins Scout Motors after more than 23 years at BMW’s manufacturing facility in Greer, South Carolina. Bashnan led security for Nielsen and spent more than 28 years with the Diplomatic Security Service of the U.S. Department of State.
The company is actively hiring for more than 20 open roles in production, supply chain, IT and administration to be based in South Carolina, with hundreds more to come. Current career opportunities can be found on the Scout Motors careers page. Potential candidates can indicate their interest for future manufacturing positions by submitting their information at scoutmotors.sctechjobs.com.