Q&A: Motiv’s New Chief Executive Talks Change and Growth

When a young company announces that its founder is stepping down and a new chief executive is coming in, it’s usually a sign of either trouble or wisdom.

Former Ford trucks executive Matt O’Leary said his recent appointment as chief executive of Motiv Power Systems, replacing founder Jim Castelaz, signals the latter – the wisdom of an entrepreneurial founder.

Motiv founder and former Chief Executive Castelaz – also an engineer – will transition to chief technology officer for the Foster City, Calif., company. He’ll be working on new products and improvements aimed at expanding its line of electric chassis for medium-duty trucks.