Tesla’s accounting chief exits company as departures continue

Tesla Inc.’s chief accounting officer has left the company, the latest in a string of management departures from the electric-car maker.

Eric Branderiz, who also served as corporate controller, left Tesla for personal reasons on Wednesday, according to a regulatory filing. Tesla shares dropped as much as 1.9 percent after the close of regular trading.

“Tesla appreciates Eric’s service to the company,” the carmaker said in the filing Thursday. A company spokesman declined to comment further.

Branderiz’s exit follows a spate of high-level management departures including Jon McNeill, president of global sales and service; Diarmuid O’Connell, vice president of business development; and Kurt Kelty, director of battery technology. Chief Financial Officer Jason Wheeler also left last year.

Tesla lists its dependence on Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk as a risk factor in securities filings and will have shareholders vote next month on an equity award valued at $2.6 billion aimed at keeping him with the company for the long term.

A Tesla Motors Inc. Model S electric vehicle on display at the company's showroom in Beijing, China
A Tesla Motors Inc. Model S electric vehicle

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