Laura Schwab
President
Aston Martin Americas
Irvine
Grew up in Louisville, Ky.
Age: 45
Lives in San Clemente
WHY: First female president for luxury British automaker, responsible for marketing, sales and service in the U.S., Mexico, Canada and South America.
HOW: After law school, moved from hometown of Louisville, Ky., to San Diego to work at online marketplace Autofusion. Joined Land Rover USA at 26 as a contractor to help its online business, even wrote her own employment contract. Moved up the ranks including company’s only female regional operations manager to joining England offices as company’s marketing director. Joined Aston Martin in 2015, moving back to the U.S. working out of company’s regional headquarters in Irvine.
RECENT: First all-electric model, Rapide E, introduced last month and can travel over 200 miles on a single charge, only 155 vehicles will be made. Aiming to launch an SUV by the end of this year with sales starting next year. Company’s plan is to double production by 2023 to about 14,000 vehicles.
FAST FACT: Aston Martin sold 6,441 vehicles last year, up 26%. Many lines start at $200,000 or higher.
QUOTABLE: “I was obsessed with tennis and all sports. I really didn’t fall in love with cars until I fell into the car business.”
PERSONAL: High school tennis champ went to University of Notre Dame on tennis scholarship, become captain of tennis team, then on to University of Kentucky College of Law. Daughter with husband, Nick, electrical engineer. Once played tennis against Wimbledon champ Andy Murray.
