By Michael Elkins
Ross Gerber, a vocal Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) supporter and shareholder, confirmed Friday during an audio conference with Bloomberg that the Gerber Kawasaki investment firm CEO will pursue a seat on the electric vehicle company’s board of directors.
“Tesla needs to build its image around Tesla, and not just around Elon,” he said on the call, adding: “I think it’s time for Tesla to grow up.”
Gerber said he plans to be an activist board member, with a goal of reining in Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk.
Gerber previously appeared on a Bull Bear debate in January, hosted by Investing.com where he argued his bull case opposite Gordon Johnson. Gerber argued the adoption of EVs is growing dramatically, and with the U.S. still behind other markets, he sees so much upside in the market and industry. The heated debate has since been viewed almost 40,000 times.
Gerber’s firm holds around 440,000 Tesla shares as of December 31, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Shares of TSLA are down 5.46% in afternoon trading on Friday.