Ford Announces Global Leadership Team Appointments

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Following the announcement that Jim Hackett would replace Mark Fields as president and CEO on Monday, Ford Motor Co. today announced senior leadership appointments worldwide, completing Hackett’s newly reorganized team.

“The leadership changes we are announcing today across our global business are important as we foster even greater teamwork, accountability, and nimble decision-making,” says Hackett. “I am excited to work together with Bill Ford and such a talented and diverse group of leaders to create a more vibrant Ford that delivers value for all of our stakeholders.”

During executive chairman Bill Ford’s announcement on Monday, Ford emphasized he and Hackett would collaborate on three main priorities: sharpening operational execution to address underperforming aspects of the business, modernizing Ford’s business to improve efficiency, and transforming the company’s culture, talent, and strategic processes to ensure long-term success.

Consistent with the shift, new leadership appointments were announced, including global markets, global operations, and mobility.

Raj Nair was named executive vice president and president of Ford North America, succeeding Joe Hinrichs, after serving as executive vice president of product development and chief technical officer, leading Ford’s global product development operations and playing a key role in mobility efforts. His appointment is effective June 1.

As part of a previously planned organizational change, Dave Schoch, group vice president and president of Ford Asia Pacific, has announced his intention to retire after 40 years with the company. Schoch has led Ford’s Asia Pacific operations for the last five years, overseeing an aggressive expansion in the region. He has also served as controller of The Americas, executive director of Ford Canada, Mexico, and South America, chief financial officer and vice president of strategic planning for Ford Europe, and chief financial officer of Ford Asia Pacific Operations. His retirement is effective June 1.

Peter Fleet will succeed Schoch as group vice president and president of Ford Asia Pacific, and will also lead all of Ford’s operations in China, including Lincoln, the Ford China import business, Ford’s passenger car joint venture, Changan Ford, and investment with Jiangling Motors Corp. Fleet previously served as vice president of marketing, sales, and service for Asia Pacific and will assume his new role June 1.

Steven Armstrong has also been appointed group vice president and president for Ford Europe, Middle East, and Africa, succeeding Jim Farley, who was promoted to executive vice president of global markets on Monday. Armstrong will be responsible for Ford in all three regions, after previously serving as vice president and chief operating officer for Ford of Europe.

Sherif Marakby was also appointed to a newly-created role of vice president for autonomous vehicles and electrification, effective June 12. He was elected a corporate officer after having worked at Ford for more than 25 years, serving in a variety of leadership positions in product development in North America and Europe. Marakby’s background is in electrification, having lead the team to deliver a battery electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles.

Earlier this week, Joe Hinrich was named Ford’s new executive vice president and president for global operations, while Hau Thai-Tang was appointed executive vice president for product development and purchasing after more than 25 years in the department. Thai-Tang has advanced Ford’s global purchasing operations with several supplier-partner led innovations and delivered material cost savings.

Other new appointments include Marcy Klevorn, executive vice president and president for mobility, and Neil Schloss, vice president and CFO for mobility. Schloss previously served as vice president and treasurer of Ford, and CFO of Ford Smart Mobility, a subsidiary formed to design, build, grow, and invest in emerging mobility services.

Jeff Lemmer was also appointed vice president and COO for IT, where he will be responsible for automotive-related application development and running the day-to-day operations, including networks, data centers, and employee collaboration tools. Lemmer was previously director of IT operations.

The appointment of a chief information officer will be made in a future announcement.