Weekend at Geoff's

4/21/ update: Further stories on the cause of Mr. Polites death indicate that he had been battling with cancer. Autobiographical information in this Sidney Morning Herald article indicate that he was a real top shelf fellow: scrapping fancy executive perks and visiting with workers on the assembly line. To further tug at your heartstrings, Mr. Polities was returning to Australia to meet his first grandchild. Sadly, his condition worsened and he was taken to the hospital before he could meet her. He did however get to spend a few last moments with his beloved dog Don.


4/20/08 post:

In a most unfortunate turn of events, Geoff Polites, CEO of Jaguar and Land Rover since 2005, has passed away at age 60. According to news coverage, Polites has been battling a serious illness for two years. His death had nothing to do with the 6 litre Methuselah bottle he is holding in this picture.

Polites was expected to stay on after the sale of Jaguar / Land Rover was complete. David Smith, Jaguar and Land Rover's chief financial officer, will take over until a successor can be found.

source: associated press