Big Three Auto Executives 2021: Ford Motor Co.

DBusiness Magazine lists the top executives at Ford Motor Co. based on information from the automaker and DBusiness research as of August 11, 2021. Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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William Clay Ford Jr.

William Clay Ford Jr.
Executive Chairman,
Chairman of the Board of Directors

Ford has been a member of the company’s board of directors since 1988 and has been chairman since Jan. 1, 1999. He also serves as chairman of the board’s Finance Committee. Ford served as CEO from October 2001 to September 2006. During his time in that position, he took the company from a $5.5B loss in 2001 to three straight years of profitability. Ford joined the company in 1979 as a product-planning analyst and has held a variety of positions in manufacturing, sales, marketing, product development, and finance.


James D. Farley headshotJames D. Farley
CEO, Ford Motor Co.

Farley succeeds former CEO Jim Hackett, who retired in October 2020. Farley is focused on accelerating Ford’s transformation through operational excellence that benefits customers and delivers sustainable profit growth. He also serves as a member of the company’s board of directors. In his previous role as COO, Farley worked to strengthen Ford’s automotive operations, overseeing all of Ford’s global markets and automotive operations including product development, purchasing, enterprise product line management, manufacturing and labor affairs.


Jon Huntsman headshotJon Huntsman
Vice Chair, Policy

In this new role (effective April 14, 2021), Huntsman advises Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO, and Executive Chair Bill Ford as the company considers and implements strategic policy choices during a period of profound industry change, including the transition to zero-emission battery electric vehicles. He will remain on Ford’s board of directors. Huntsman works closely with company teams across a range of disciplines, especially government relations; the office of the general counsel; and sustainability, environment, and safety engineering.


Steven ArmstrongSteven Armstrong
Transformation Officer, South America and India

Armstrong was named to this post on May 1, 2021. He leads the evaluation of capital allocations to India and the conclusion of the restructuring of Ford’s South America business, which will offer connected and increasingly electrified SUVs, pickups, and commercial vehicles sourced from Argentina, Uruguay, and other markets. Previously, as president of the Changan Ford joint venture in China, Armstrong led the manufacturing, marketing, selling, and servicing of Ford products. He also served as chairman, president, and COO of Ford of Europe.


Anning Chen headshotAnning Chen
President and CEO, Ford China

Chen leads the company’s operations in greater China, including all import and joint venture operations, and is implementing the company’s global strategy and leading China’s future development. Chen is a 25-year auto industry veteran with extensive expertise in leading transformation, establishing alliances and joint ventures, and developing competitive products for China. He was CEO of Chery Automobile Ltd., China, as well as chairman of the board of directors for Chery Jaguar Land Rover Automotive, China.


Diane Craig headshotDiane Craig
President, International Markets Group

As of Jan. 1, 2021, Craig has been responsible for leading the business unit operations, including dealers and distributor markets, in more than 100 countries across Africa, ASEAN, India, the Middle East and Australia, and New Zealand. She succeeds Mark Ovenden, who retired earlier this year. Prior to this position, Craig was CEO at FordDirect. She also served as president and CEO of Ford of Canada, overseeing its national headquarters, three regional offices, two branch offices, three assembly plants, and two parts distribution centers.


Joy Falotico headshotJoy Falotico
President, The Lincoln Motor Co.

Falotico is responsible for leading the continued evolution of Lincoln as a world-class luxury brand and oversees all Lincoln operations globally, including product development, marketing, sales, and service, and all team members supporting the brand. She was previously chairman and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Credit Co., with worldwide responsibility for leading the global financial services business that supports Ford dealers and customers, along with the sale of Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Falotico is involved in the American Financial Services Assoc.


Kumar Galhotra headshotKumar Galhotra
President, Americas and International Markets Group

Galhotra is responsible for the profit and loss of the business units, including a newly established commercial vehicle business unit for the U.S. and Canada. He reports to Jim Farley. Galhotra formerly served as president, North America, leading all aspects of Ford’s North American business. He also served as group vice president, Lincoln, overseeing all Lincoln operations globally, including product development; marketing, sales, and service; and all team members supporting the brand.


Marion Harris headshotMarion Harris
President and CEO, Ford Motor Credit Co.

Harris is responsible for the leading financial services provider for dealers and customers around the world in support of Ford Motor
Co. sales. Prior to this,
as vice president of
Ford’s Mobility Business Group, he was responsible for the connected services businesses of Ford Commercial Solutions and FordPass, as well as Chariot and GoRide Health. Harris previously served as chief financial officer and treasurer at Ford Credit, where he was responsible for financial planning, analysis, and accounting operations.


Stuart Rowley headshotStuart Rowley
President, Ford of Europe

Rowley is responsible for all operational leadership at Ford of Europe, including acceleration of the European transformation strategy. He reports to Ford CEO Jim Farley. Prior to this, as vice president and COO of Ford North America, Rowley was responsible for driving the redesign of the North American business to improve its overall fitness. Earlier, as vice president of strategy, Rowley played a leading role in Ford’s growth strategy by accelerating the development of new business models in both the company’s core and emerging businesses.


Lyle Watters headshotLyle Watters
General Manager, Ford Passenger Vehicle Division, Ford China

Watters relocated to Shanghai on July 1, 2021, to take on this newly created position. He and his team will be accountable for broadening Ford’s appeal to and enhancing the experience of customers with products and services, many of them developed in-country for Chinese consumers. At this year’s Shanghai Auto Show, Ford China unveiled the latest additions to its rapidly expanding vehicle portfolio: the Escape plug-in hybrid SUV; a localized version of the all-electric Mustang Mach-E; and the EVOS.


Mitch BainwolMitch Bainwol 
Chief Government Relations Officer

Bainwol leads a global team that helps shape policy and legislation to promote the company’s business objectives, including areas of international trade, the environment, autonomous vehicles, mobility, driver safety, and taxation. He directs engagement with governments in 110 markets around the world where Ford does business. Before this, Bainwol served as president and chief executive officer for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers since 2011, where he was responsible for representing automakers from the U.S., Europe, and Japan.


Steven CroleySteven Croley
Chief Policy Officer
General Counsel

Steven Croley was named to his position on July 7, 2021 to help the company further leverage and build on its strengths in government relations , sustainability, safety, legal, and privacy. Most recently, Croley was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s litigation and trial department. From 2014 to 2017, he served as general counsel for the U.S. Department of Energy. He spent the previous four years in the White House, as a special assistant for regulatory policy, then as deputy counsel overseeing legal policy.


Suzy Deering headshotSuzy Deering
Chief Marketing Officer

Effective Jan. 4, 2021, Deering directs Ford’s day-to-day marketing in North America and drives strategic direction and collaboration between marketing teams in the company’s regional business units in Europe, China, South America, and the International Markets Group to enhance and release the value of Ford’s brands. She reports to Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford Americas and International Markets Group. Previously, as global chief marketing officer of eBay, Deering helped revive the company’s brand and drive sharply higher revenue.


Lisa Drake headshotLisa Drake
Chief Operating Officer, North America

Drake is charged with bringing enhanced focus to product launches, warranty reduction, and material cost improvements. She’s placing a renewed emphasis on returning the North America business back to a 10-percent EBIT margin through her work on cost and waste reduction. Previously, as vice president, global purchasing, Drake was responsible for all category management processes and procurement functions across direct and indirect purchasing areas, as well as supplier technical assistance.


Elena A. Ford headshotsElena A. Ford
Chief Customer Experience Officer

Ford leads the organization responsible for creating a world-class customer experience throughout the entire ownership cycle. She reports to Kumar Galhotra, Ford president, Americas and International Markets Group. She is also responsible for integrating the work of Ford Customer Service Division, the quality organization, sales and marketing, and the global dealer network to more tightly connect the interactions between Ford and its customers worldwide. She is integrated with the sales organization and global dealer network.


John Lawler headshotJohn Lawler
Chief Financial Officer

Lawler has overall responsibility for Ford’s finance functions including accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury, tax, investor relations, economics, and audit, as well as the Ford Credit business. He succeeds Tim Stone, who left Ford to serve as COO and CFO at ASAPP Inc., an artificial intelligence software company. Lawler was previously CEO, Ford Autonomous Vehicles, LLC, and vice president. mobility partnerships. He also  served as vice president, strategy, overseeing corporate strategy, business development, and more.


Jeff Lemmer headshotJeff Lemmer 
Chief Information Officer

Lemmer oversees Ford’s global IT business applications, architecture, data centers, engineering, and infrastructure services. He joined Ford in 1987 and has spent his entire career in IT with the company, serving in leadership positions at Ford Motor Co. and Ford Credit. He was most recently Ford’s vice president and chief operating officer of information technology, where he led the development of automotive-related applications and ran day-to-day operations. He oversaw the design and construction of two new data centers.


John Mellen headshotJohn Mellen
General Counsel

In August 2020, Mellen replaced Bradley Gayton, who accepted a position as senior vice president and general counsel at The Coca-Cola Co. Mellen advises the company’s senior management and board of directors on a wide range of legal issues. He leads a global team that supports Ford’s automotive, financial services, and mobility businesses, and represents the company in all legal matters. Previously, Mellen was Ford’s associate general counsel for global litigation and regulatory matters. Mellen holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale and a JD from U-D.


Kiersten Robinson headshotKiersten Robinson
Chief People and Employee Experiences Officer

Robinson has responsibility to leverage Ford’s aligned and strategic enterprise capabilities through strong, diverse teams in support of the business, enterprise priorities, and progressive employee and workplace experiences. As the senior leader and corporate officer overseeing people processes globally, Robinson ensures the development and execution of business strategies that reflect the global business environment, and customer and market needs. She reports to Ford CEO Jim Farley.


Hau Thai-Tang headshotHau Thai-Tang
Chief Product Platform and Operations Officer

Thai-Tang was formerly Ford’s chief product development and purchasing officer and had global responsibility for all aspects of the company’s design, engineering, and development, as well as purchasing operations. He also has responsibility for enterprise product line management and connectivity, and reports to Jim Farley, Ford CEO. Thai-Tang was a race engineer for Nigel Mansell and Mario Andretti on Ford’s Newman-Haas IndyCar team in 1993. His efforts contributed to six victories, 11 podium finishes, and the driver and manufacturer titles.


Mark Truby headshotMark Truby
Chief Communications Officer

Truby leads Ford’s global communications and public relations activities, including building the company’s reputation globally among customers, employees, dealers, suppliers, news media, communities, governments, and policymakers. He reports to Jim Farley, Ford CEO. Truby joined Ford in 2007 as director of global corporate communications. He has also served as communications director for Bill Ford; VP, communications, Ford Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and, most recently, vice president, communications, Ford Asia Pacific.


Dave Webb headshotDave Webb
Treasurer

Webb is responsible for Ford’s global treasury strategy and operations.  He reports to John Lawler, Ford’s CFO. From June 2017 to December 2018, he served as assistant treasurer for Ford and had responsibility for Ford’s global capital markets, banking, capital strategy, affiliate finance, risk management, and treasury operations. Before this, as director of funding, he was responsible for Ford and Ford Credit’s global funding programs and issuance strategy. This included managing Ford Credit’s unsecured commercial paper and financing programs.


Jim Baumbick headshotJim Baumbick 
Vice President, Enterprise Product Line Management

Baumbick is responsible for global product strategy and planning, as well as leading the global product line teams that are using deep customer insights to deliver products customers really want and value, and drive end-to-end business results. Previously, Baumbick served as executive director of Global Product Planning and Strategy, where he led the development of Ford’s flexible modular architecture approach, which is a key enabler for product development fitness.


Kieran Cahill headshotKieran Cahill
Vice President, Manufacturing, Ford of Europe

Cahill reports jointly to Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe, and to Gary Johnson, vice president, global manufacturing and labor affairs. Earlier, Cahill had served as director, manufacturing, strategic projects, Ford of Europe, and director, manufacturing, U.K. and Romania. He was director, Ford of Europe powertrain operations, and led the powertrain manufacturing engineering and European Ford Production System groups. Cahill graduated from the University of Hertfordshire.


Roelant De Waard headshotRoelant De Waard
General Manager, Passenger Vehicles
Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe

De Waard is responsible for all marketing, sales, and service personnel and activities in European markets. Earlier, as vice president of sales, Ford of Europe, he was responsible for 49 markets including the U.K., France, Italy, Spain, and Russia. Prior to that, de Waard was chairman and managing director of Ford of Britain and vice president, Europe, Ford Customer Service Division. He joined Ford Netherlands in 1990 and served as a sales manager and marketing manager.


Dave Filipe headshotDavid Filipe
Vice President, Vehicle Hardware Modules

Appointed Jan. 1, 2021. Filipe leads hardware development and systems integration of exterior, interior, underbody, internal-combustion powertrain, and electrified modules. He reports to Hau Thai-Tang, chief product development and purchasing officer. Filipe has held various positions within product development and has had several global leadership roles, including director of global engine engineering, where he was responsible for the global design and development of Ford gasoline and diesel engines.


Andrew Frick headshotAndrew Frick
Vice President, Sales, U.S. and Canada

Appointed January 2021. Frick is responsible for sales, field operations, market representation, customer care, and dealer relations for the Ford brand in the U.S. and Canada. He succeeds Mark LaNeve, who left the company. Previously, Frick was director of U.S. sales, and director, marketing, where he led the implementation of the Ford brand communication and product marketing strategic plan. His earlier assignments included manager of marketing, sales, and service for Lincoln, leading the implementation of brand strategy.


Chuck Gray headshotChuck Gray
Vice President, Vehicle Embedded Software and Controls

Gray leads the development of vehicle embedded software, vehicle controls, embedded connectivity technology, advanced driver assist technologies and systems, and vehicle cybersecurity. His previous role as vice president of vehicle components and systems engineering was central to the company’s commitment to develop Ford and Lincoln vehicles with quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart technology, and value for customers around the world. Earlier, he was director of Ford’s global core electrical team.


Bob Holycross headshotBob Holycross
Vice President, Sustainability, Environment, and Safety Engineering

As Ford’s top environment and safety officer, Holycross is responsible for implementing sustainable best practices throughout Ford and leading its global environment and safety, strategy, and policy. Previously he was director, sustainability, homologation, and compliance.  Holycross formerly served as vice president of sustainability, environment, and safety engineering for Ford of Europe, Middle East, and Africa, where he ensured compliance with government regulations.


Jonathan JenningsJonathan Jennings
Vice President, Global Commodity Purchasing and Supplier Technical Assistance

Jennings is responsible for all production procurement, together with quality and launch performance of the supply base through the company’s supplier technical assistance program. Previously, as executive director, global commodity purchasing, Jennings oversaw production commodity purchasing, strategic planning, material cost delivery, and overall production supplier cost performance. Earlier, he was director of enterprise product line management for luxury vehicles. He graduated from EMU.


Anthony Lo headshotAnthony Lo
Vice President, Design

On April 1, 2021, Lo succeeded Moray Callum, who retired after a 38-year automotive career. Lo worked at Groupe Renault in Paris for the past 10 years, most recently as VP, exterior design. He was instrumental in the development of the company’s Cycle of Life design strategy, which was the basis for a series of award-winning concept cars. Lo joined Saab in 2000, and from 2004 to 2010 was director of advanced design for General Motors Europe, overseeing Saab, Opel, and Vauxhall projects. Before that, he was with Mercedes-Benz in Japan, and Audi in Germany.


Franck Louis-Victor headshotFranck Louis-Victor 
Vice President, New Business

Louis-Victor joined Ford on July 1, 2021 after working on new business models and revenue streams for Groupe Renault. He is developing and executing a comprehensive strategic plan that includes the company’s existing and emerging portfolio of capabilities in areas like autonomous vehicles and mobility services, as well as Ford’s incubator, Ford X.He has more than 20 years of experience in data and mobility startups, connected vehicles, and new services with both long-established companies and enterprises that he founded and led.


David McClelland headshotDavid McClelland 
Vice President, Strategy and Partnerships

McClelland leads corporate strategy, business development, and global data insights and analytics. He’s also chairman of the Ford Motor Credit Co. board of directors. Prior to this appointment, McClelland was CEO of Ford Motor Credit Co., Ford’s global provider of financial products and services for dealers and customers. He had served as Ford Credit executive vice president of marketing and Asia Pacific, overseeing global marketing and Ford Credit’s business in China and India.  He joined Ford Credit Britain in 1993, then Ford Credit South Africa.


Cathy O'Callaghan headshotCathy O’Callaghan
Vice President, Controller

O’Callaghan had served as chief financial officer, Ford South America, since 2015. In that position she was responsible for all Ford finance activities in Ford South America, including operations finance, profit analysis, treasury, tax, accounting, and internal control. Prior to working in South America, O’Callaghan held a number of key leadership positions at Ford of Europe, including finance director for product development, controller of European manufacturing operations and logistics, and finance director of Ford of Britain. She joined Ford in 1990.


John Savona headshotJohn Savona
Vice President, Manufacturing and Labor Affairs, North America

Since February 2021, Savona has been responsible for Ford’s North American manufacturing footprint of more than 30 plants. He succeeds Gary Johnson, who retired. Previously, as Ford’s director of global manufacturing quality, Savona was responsible for ensuring continuous quality improvement in the company’s worldwide manufacturing facilities. He began his career with Ford in 1989 as a security officer at the company’s Wayne assembly plant.  Savona has a bachelor’s degree from EMU and a master’s from CMU. 


Frederiek Toney headshotFrederiek Toney
Vice President, Global Ford Customer Service Division

Toney works with hundreds of Ford dealerships around the world. He joined Ford in 2000 and has held leadership positions in logistics, operations, and parts and service. He served as executive director, global material planning and logistics. Before joining Ford, Toney spent 23 years at Caterpillar Inc. and American Honda. In 2012, Black Enterprise magazine named Toney one of “100 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America.” He has an MBA from the University of La Verne in California.


Trevor Worthington headshotTrevor Worthington
Vice President, Global Operations and Programs

Worthington leads Ford’s global vehicle programs and is also responsible for coordinating the company’s product development resources to bring new products to market. He also has responsibility for driving competitive material costs and engineering expenses throughout the development cycle. Worthington earlier served as vice president, product development, for Asia Pacific. Since joining the company in 1985, Worthington has held various positions in product development and product strategy.


Dream Team - Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Co., and President Joe Biden with the all-new, all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning. // Photo by Sam VarnHagen.
Dream Team – Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Co., and President Joe Biden with the all-new, all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning. // Photo by Sam VarnHagen.

Ford Motor Co. Board of Directors

William Clay Ford Jr.
Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Directors

Kimberly A. Casiano
President, Kimberly Casiano & Associates

Anthony F. Earley Jr. (Lead Independent Director)
Executive Chairman of the Board, PG&E Corp.

Alexandra Ford English
Director, Corporate Strategy, Ford Motor Co.

James D. Farley Jr.
CEO

Henry Ford III
Member, Board of Directors, Ford Motor Co.

William J. Helman IV
General Partner, Greylock Partners

Jon M. Huntsman Jr.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia

William E. Kennard
Non-Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Velocitas Partners

Beth Mooney
Chairman and CEO, KeyCorp

John L. Thornton
Chairman, Barrick Gold Corp.

John Veihmeyer
Former Chairman, KPMG International

Lynn Vojvodich
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Salesforce

John S. Weinberg
Former Vice Chairman, Goldman Sachs Group Inc.


Ford Motor Co.’s Board of Directors can be viewed at: corporate.ford.com/about/leadership.html.