The Drivers

Who better to get behind the wheel than us?

	Andria Metrakos Supply Chain Manager, Chassis Andria has worked in supply chain functions within the automotive industry for over 15 years. Andria loves the open office environment of Tesla because it encourages the close collaboration needed to change the auto industry. Andria says, “I learn something new from my co-workers every day.” She’s is looking forward to driving through the Midwest and has no qualms about putting the Roadster to the test in the challenging Michigan winter weather. Favorite Road Trip Food: Finding great, local diners! Andria will be driving through Chicago, Grand Rapids and Detroit.
	Barrie Dickinson Director, Roadster Programs & Chief Vehicle Engineer, Roadster Barrie joined Tesla in 2004 to lead Roadster vehicle engineering programs. He started in the United Kingdom and moved to our San Carlos, CA headquarters a year later. He’s seen Tesla grow from 13 employees to the current 400+ and he says, “it is still fun and exciting to be part of this groundbreaking company.” Barrie is looking forward to touring west Texas and spreading the word about Tesla even further. Favorite Road Trip Game: Embarrass the Porsche driver! Barrie will be driving through Ft. Stockton and San Antonio.
	Ben Kanner Inside Sales Representative Ben recently joined Tesla and is excited to help us expand into new markets across the country. Of the experience he says, “working at Tesla is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m surrounded by bright, passionate, hard-working people.” He can’t wait to show his family in Illinois how much fun he has at work (while visiting some classic Midwestern road trip food stops like Steak n’ Shake). Favorite Road Trip Memory: Driving across the country with his girlfriend, Kelly. Ben will be driving through Effingham and Champaign.
	Dan Myggen Sales Advisor When Dan first started at Tesla, he discovered a problem with “regular” sports cars – they just didn’t feel fast anymore. Dan is based in our Menlo Park Store and works with prospective buyers and current Roadster Owners. Dan started road-trippin’ at a very early age: when he was just 10 months old, his parents took him on a road trip from Stockholm to Geneva. Participating in this road trip helps him tick an item off his “Things to do before he dies” list. Favorite Road Trip Song: “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd Dan will be driving through Phoenix and Tucson.
	Emily Ritter Content Manager Emily recently joined Tesla to help expand the web marketing and social media presence. Emily thinks road trips are great, especially when getting to mountain- and river-centered sports. In high school, her father convinced her to buy a bright yellow, 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible – when comparing it to the Roadster, Emily says: “both cars attract attention, but the Roadster is far more fun to drive AND a whole lot better for the planet.” Favorite Road Trip Song: For this trip? “Electric Feel” by MGMT Emily will be driving through Palm Springs.
	Hank Bonutti Senior Engineering Manager Hank joined Tesla in early 2007. He works on materials engineering and joining technologies for the Model S Body Engineering Team and he enjoys “the broad range of challenges and the many opportunities to innovate.” Hank will be driving #750 through Illinois. In fact, he’ll be stopping over in Effingham, where he his wedding took place exactly 35 years ago and his wife will be there to celebrate! Favorite Road Trip Memory: Driving with his family on a vacation in Southern California. Hank will be driving through St. Louis, Effingham, and Champaign.
	Jason Mendez Manager, Powertrain Manufacturing Engineering Jason works at the leading edge of Tesla’s technology – he and his team design and build the factories where our powertrain components are built. As Tesla employee #25, Jason says the work experience has been a “thrilling journey from obscure hopeful to market leader.” Jason has friends and family in each city he’s driving through and hopes he’ll see all of them along the way! In 2000, he went on a 9,000 mile road trip in a 1972 Datsun 240Z, and managed to take a photo in front of 27 “Welcome to ____” state signs. Favorite Road Trip Game: “At 130 miles per hour, there’s little time for games!” Jason will be driving through Austin, Ft. Worth, and Dallas.
	Laurel Fullerton Test & Tools Engineer As a Test and Tools Engineer, Laurel develops hardware, software, and mechanical setups for testing various parts of the Roadster’s Power Electronics Module (PEM). She loves working for Tesla Motors because she’s able to combine many engineering disciplines while making a positive impact on the world. Laurel is looking forward to driving from Los Angeles to Tucson because I-10 connects her alma mater, Harvey Mudd, with her home town, where the Roadster will be stopping for a Friday afternoon science lesson at her high school. Laurel’s first car was a Buick Riviera she called the “Space Yacht”, aptly named for its large turning radius and “swoopy dash design”. Favorite Road Trip Game: Finding small cities that share the same name with big cities (for example: Phoenix, Oregon). Laurel will be driving through Palm Springs, Phoenix and Tucson.
	Lauren Wessel Mechanical Engineer Lauren is a Mechanical Engineer. Over the past 2 and a-half years, Lauren has worked on both the transmission and Energy Storage System (“the battery”) teams and has spent countless hours test driving the Roadster. She says, “it’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it!” Lauren is looking forward to driving the Roadster on the wide-open roads of her home state, Texas, to show it off to all her family and friends. Favorite Road Trip Snack: The kind that doesn’t melt, spill, or leave crumbs – she loves a clean car! Lauren will be driving through Austin, Ft. Worth, and Dallas.
	Mike Falcone Sales Advisor Mike works in sales and customer service at our Menlo Park Store. He came to Tesla to take part in changing the world. He hopes electric vehicle technology will spread fast enough that he’ll soon be able to go 4 wheelin’ in an electric truck. Mike and his friends used to take yearly road trips from Pennsylvania to Detroit for an in-line skating contest – though always exhausted on Monday morning after the weekend adventure, it was always worth it! Favorite Road Trip Snack: Necco Assorted Wafers Mike will be driving through Deming and El Paso.
	Meridith McColl Inside Sales Representative Meridith is one of Tesla’s Inside Sales Representatives and works with customers across the country. She enjoys working for Tesla because “we’re at a game-changing moment for electric cars and the Roadster is smarter, better, faster, and more convenient than a gas-powered car.” Meridith, who loves photography, is looking forward to bringing her old rolleiflex camera on the trip to snap some black & white photos of the Roadster driving through the plains of Oklahoma. Favorite Road Trip Snack: Chocolate covered espresso beans Meridith will be driving through Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
	Paul Smicker Manager, IT Operations Paul has worked in IT at Tesla for almost 3 years. He’s currently focused on networking and telecommunications for our worldwide voice and data infrastructure. As a kid, Paul road-tripped all over Europe with his family; they once drove a 1973 Ford Galaxy (with faux wood panels, of course) into a tiny town in Greece where inquisitive kids flocked around them to check out the huge car. Favorite Road Trip Game: Paul says, “No time for games, road trips are serious business!” Paul will be driving through Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Springfield.
	Rik Avalos Senior Sales Recruiter Rik is tasked with sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates throughout the recruitment process at Tesla Motors. Recruiting for Tesla is exciting for Rik because “Tesla is accomplishing something that has never been done before and it is amazing to bring new, successful individuals into the company.” Rik is originally from El Paso and is excited to show off the Roadster to old friends and family as he drives through his hometown. Many of Rik’s previous road trip experiences involve touring with various bands he’s been a member of over the years. Favorite Road Trip Song: “Runnin’ on Empty” by Jackson Browne. Rik will be driving through Deming and El Paso.
	Ted Merendino Customer Advocate Ted supports customers in all aspects of Roadster ownership. He’s passionate about unique cars and the environment, which makes working at Tesla a great fit. Ted can’t wait to zoom through the Texas oil fields knowing that his horsepower comes from electrons, not dinosaurs. Ted’s favorite road trip memory is from when he drove a 1960 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite 325 miles up California’s Highway 101 – and arrived with the same oil pressure he started with! Favorite Road Trip Song: “Wild, Wild Life” by The Talking Heads Ted will be driving through Ft. Stockton and San Antonio.