Vice President, Corporate Communications
Volvo Cars of North America
Geno Effler assumed his current title in November 2012 after having been Vice President, Public Affairs, for Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA) since November 2006. In his role, Effler and his team are responsible for product and corporate communications to external and internal audiences, and also oversee product placement activities related to the Volvo brand. He reports directly to John Maloney, VCNA's president and CEO.
Effler has been in automotive public relations since 1988. Prior to joining VCNA, he spent 16 months as brand communications manager for Aston Martin North America, handling all communications and auto show activities.
From 2002-2005, Effler served as Public Relations Manager/West for Mercedes-Benz USA, where he worked with both Mercedes-Benz and Maybach brands. Prior to his tenure at Mercedes-Benz USA, he spent nine years at Kia Motors America where he helped launch the Korean-based company to American consumers beginning in 1993. His diversity was apparent as he not only developed Kia's public relations activities, but oversaw its championship motorsports program and award-winning consumer website.
Previously, he had spent five years in agency roles working on clients such as Mazda, Lamborghini and Pirelli. Effler graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a B.A. in communications (journalism emphasis). He spent the first nine years of his career doing public relations for the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL and the Oakland Invaders of the USFL.
He and his wife have two children.
