FCA HR Exec Abruptly Retires Ahead of UAW Contract Talks

Fiat Chrysler’s top human-resources executive in North America retired Tuesday, effectively immediately, just as the automaker is gearing up to head into contract talks with the United Automobile Workers union.

The automaker did not say why Al Iacobelli, 55, is retiring. Iacobelli was preparing to begin negotiations later this summer with UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell for a new labor contract with the union.

Glenn Shagena is the new head of employee relations for FCA US, the company previously known as Chrysler. Before Tuesday, Shagena was human-resources director for manufacturing and world class manufacturing. He was responsible for heading up labor-relations efforts and the rollout of world class manufacturing at all of the company’s manufacturing operations.

In 2011, Iacobelli led Chrysler’s contract negotiations with the UAW. He also led discussions in 2009 when the company’s labor contract was restructured as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Iacobelli was appointed vice president of employee relations in 2008. He joined the company in 1993.

Earlier this year, he gave no indication of an intention to retire from the company before this year’s contract talks began.

The UAW’s four-year contract with General Motors, Ford and FCA US expires on Sept. 15.

Typically, contract talks between the union and the automakers officially kick off in July and preparations start months prior to that.

Shagena joined FCA US in 1985 in the company’s labor-relations department working at a Michigan assembly plant.

Since then, he has held a series of positions with increasing responsibilities in employee relations and human resources, including human resources for vehicle engineering and separately, manufacturing.

He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He holds a master’s degree in organization/HR development from Case Western Reserve University.