Tesla Adds Two New Board Directors To Keep Elon Musk Under Check

Tesla has added billionaire Larry Ellison and former Kellogg executive Kathleen Wilson-Thompson to its board of directors, as required by Elon Musk’s recent settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Ellison is the founder of Oracle and according to recent estimates, is one of the world’s richest people with a net work of almost $60 billion. The entrepreneur also owns three million shares in Tesla worth approximately $1 billion and is a close friend with Musk.

Wilson-Thompson also has a wealth of experience in the business world after working as an executive at the Kellogg Company for 17 years. She currently serves as the executive vice president and global chief human resources officer of the Walgreens Boots Alliance.

“In conducting a widespread search over the last few months, we sought to add independent directors with skills that would complement the current board’s experience. In Larry and Kathleen, we have added a preeminent entrepreneur and a human resources leader, both of whom have a passion for sustainable energy,” Tesla’s directors said in a statement.

Tesla’s board of directors has been criticized in the past as containing too many members with personal and professional ties to Musk. The SEC’s stipulation that Tesla added two independent board members was intended to introduce more oversight of Musk, CNBC reports.

Despite some concerns about Ellison’s relationship with Musk, a Tesla spokesperson downplayed their affiliation, saying that have only socialized on a handful of occasions.