MILAN (Reuters) -Carmaker Stellantis has appointed Antonio Filosa, the Italian head of its North American operations, as its chief executive, effective from June 23, it said on Wednesday.

Following are some facts about the new head of the group whose brands include Fiat, Peugeot and Jeep:

* Filosa has headed Stellantis ( STLA ) operations in North America since last October, with the task of reviving sales at the group's powerhouse.

* In a sign of his growing influence, the interim executive committee led by Chairman John Elkann gave him the additional role of global chief for quality in February. In turn, Filosa handed over the role of head of the Jeep brand, which he had held since 2023, to a colleague.

* Filosa joined Fiat Group in 1999 as a trainee. He covered several roles within the group, predominantly in Latin America. He became Fiat Chrysler chief in the region in 2018 and then served as Stellantis ( STLA ) COO for South America.

* An Italian national, Filosa was born in the southern city of Naples, spent his youth in the region of Puglia in the south, and graduated in engineering from Milan's Polytechnic. He will turn 52 next month.

* Married to a Brazilian architect, he is the father of two sons and has a passion for water polo.

(Writing by Giulio Piovaccari and Keith Weir; editing by Barbara Lewis)