Title: Vice President and General Counsel (Retired)
Company: Porsche Cars North America Inc.
Location: Bonita Springs, Florida, United States
Joseph Samuel Folz II, Vice President and Retired General Counsel at Porsche Cars North America Inc., has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements and leadership in the Automotive Industry.
Mr. Folz’s career in the automotive and legal industries is marked by a series of significant milestones, each reflecting his expertise in trade regulation, general counsel and comprehensive legal supervision. His most recent professional chapter began in 2010 when he joined Porsche Cars North America Inc. as a vice president, general counsel and secretary. Over the course of nearly a decade until his retirement in 2019, Mr. Folz played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s legal and corporate strategies.
During his tenure at Porsche, Mr. Folz was instrumental in the relocation of Porsche Cars North America from North Atlanta to South Atlanta, a move that catalyzed significant economic development in the region. He was a driving force behind the creation of the Porsche Experience Center, a landmark facility featuring a striking architectural design and two test tracks for visitors. This project, situated at the intersection of Interstate 75 and Porsche Avenue, was a testament to Mr. Folz’s leadership and vision. Bringing this ambitious initiative to fruition required extensive advocacy before the Atlanta City Council and collaboration with numerous stakeholders. The success of this project contributed to the transformation of South Atlanta into a hub for new development and established Porsche as a significant presence in the area.
Before his work with Porsche, Mr. Folz served as of counsel at Barack Ferrazzano, a full-service mid-sized Chicago law firm, from 2008 to 2010, where he provided expert legal advice on a range of corporate matters as a member of its franchise and product distribution practice group within the litigation department.
Between 1979 and 2008, Mr. Folz held several senior roles at Volkswagen of America Inc., including executive vice president for corporate relations, general counsel and secretary. In these capacities, he successfully represented Volkswagen as chief legal officer and member of the principal governing board. During Mr. Folz’s tenure at both Porsche and Volkswagen, he was an integral member of the top management committee, where he became known for his ability to address complex issues with sound legal judgment and practical solutions.
Mr. Folz’s early career included a position in industry-government relations at General Motors from 1978 to 1979. His professional journey began even earlier as a lot boy at a Chevrolet dealership in 1969, immediately after obtaining his driver’s license at age 16. This formative experience ignited Mr. Folz’s lifelong passion for automobiles and set him on a path toward combining his interests in law and the automotive industry.
Highly educated, Mr. Folz earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and business administration from Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1975 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1978. He was admitted to practice by the Michigan, Virginia and Georgia Bar Associations, enabling him to provide expert legal counsel across multiple jurisdictions throughout his career.
Mr. Folz is particularly proud of founding the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting economic growth near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Under his leadership as chair and later vice chair emeritus from 2018 to 2019, the alliance became highly successful and played a key role in revitalizing South Atlanta. Mr. Folz’s efforts were recognized with an award from the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance for his foundational contributions.
Mr. Folz’s extensive civic engagement has also included serving on numerous boards, including the Atlanta Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, the Georgia Foreign Trade Zone Inc., the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Atlanta Police Foundation and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. He has also been affiliated with the Downtown Atlanta Rotary Club, the local chapter of the Porsche Club of America, and several additional chambers of commerce.
Beyond the accolade he received from the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, Mr. Folz’s success at Volkswagen of America Inc. earned him an award from the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers for his role in increasing the number of minority dealers in a Volkswagen Dealer Organization. He was also recognized as a multiple-time recipient of Distinguished Lawyers in America.
Attributing much of his success to the loving support and work ethic instilled by his parents, Mr. Folz also notes the inspiration drawn from his paternal grandfather, a respected lawyer whose example motivated him to pursue a career in the field. Looking ahead, he remains committed to making meaningful contributions within his community and is especially interested in engaging with civic affairs in Florida. He hopes that those who have worked alongside him would express a desire to do so again, demonstrating the positive impact he strives to leave wherever he goes.
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