Tesla executive lacking traditional sales background is reportedly running its sales team

Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has allowed a mostly unknown IT executive with no formal sales experience to run its sales function amid a wave of high-level departures, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The sales position has been taken over by Raj Jegannathan, who has served the EV maker for 13 years in various technology roles but lacks traditional sales experience, according to his LinkedIn profile and two people familiar with the matter.

The abrupt move has prompted some Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) insiders to assume that Jegannathan has assumed the role held by Troy Jones. The former top sales executive for TSLA in North America departed in June following a 15-year stint at the company.

According to Jegannathan’s LinkedIn profile, he joined Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) in 2012 as a senior staff engineer, with internet traffic and core infrastructure services being some of his job functions.

His recent tasks included helping the company advance its data center initiative in Texas, said two people familiar with the matter.

The report comes at a time when the Elon Musk-led company is grappling with several key executive departures in recent weeks. In addition to Jones, long-time Musk aide Omead Afshar, who has overseen TSLA’s sales and manufacturing operations in Europe and North America, left the company in June. Some have interpreted Jegannathan’s expanded role as assuming Afshar’s responsibilities.