[mbloom1915]

non-compete rule does not apply to: "Executives, defined as "any person who holds the office of chief executive officer, president, chief administrative officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief information officer, chief legal officer, chief human resources officer or chief corporate development officer, or holds any other chief executive position."

lol - cofounder is fine, as well as board member, head of sales... really whatever you want your title to be

[sfifs]

As far as company rehulations are concerned, these titles have specific meanings, powers and liabilities. You can call the positions anything like Tesla does, but as far as regulators are concerned your company will still need to define some of these roles/accountabilities in specific people.