Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn today announced John Lawler, the automaker’s CFO since October 2020, has been named vice chair and initially will continue in the CFO role.
Lawler’s vice chair assignment will take advantage of an organizationally and geographically expansive Ford career. Among past assignments, he spent nearly four years as president of Ford China during a period of record in-country performance; oversaw Ford’s autonomous vehicles business and mobility partnerships; was controller and CFO of global markets; and served in Ford of Europe.
As vice chair, Lawler will focus on:
- The next phase of Ford’s strategic development, including important choices across technologies, markets, alliances, and segments.
- All current and future global partnerships.
- Engagement with global leaders including in China, southeast Asia, and Europe, to advance industry-critical policy in areas vital to Ford’s strategic and commercial imperatives.
“The progress we’re achieving with Ford+ enables us to make these moves and drive a new level of strategic focus and execution,” says Jim Farley, president and CEO of Ford. “John is an outstanding strategic business leader and can leverage his talent and global experience to help Ford compete and win in this fast-changing and extremely competitive environment.”
Lawler says, “I’m honored to take on this broader role, working with Jim to advance our global strategy and bringing my experience, knowledge, and relationships to bear through Ford+. This is a great challenge with great possibilities and I’m eager to get after it.”
Additionally, Ford has hired Sherry House, who most recently was CFO at electric vehicle maker Lucid Motors. As Ford’s vice president of finance, she is part of a plan to succeed Lawler as CFO in early 2025. In the meantime, she will oversee financial planning and analysis as well as the finance organizations for the company’s automotive businesses: Ford Blue, Ford Pro, and Ford Model e.
Both assignments are effective in early June.
“Sherry adds an important leadership dimension to Ford as we urgently build a profitable EV business, generate new and recurring revenue streams, and create a more dynamic and resilient company,” Farley says. “Sherry combines deep roots and a passion for the auto industry with real-world experience in investment banking, mobility and technology, including EVs and autonomy.”
In joining Ford, House is returning to her home state and where she began her career in a now rapidly changing auto industry.
“I’m delighted to join such an iconic company at this exciting and important time for Ford and the industry,” House says. “In my career, I have been fortunate to work as an executive, an advisor, and an investor across the automotive and technology sectors, and in venture capital and startups. I look forward to working with Ford’s world-class team and to applying the breadth of my experience to help Ford compete and win.”
House served as CFO at Lucid Motors for nearly three years until last December, a period in which the company went public, started producing and delivering its luxury EVs, and opened manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
Prior to joining Lucid, she held several senior leadership positions at Waymo, the California-based autonomous-driving technology company, including as treasurer and, at different times, head of investor relations, corporate development, and corporate finance.
Earlier, House spent a decade working in venture capital, private equity, and investment banking. She served two tenures at General Motors Co., first in product engineering, then corporate development and strategy, accounting, venture capital, and business planning and analysis.
House holds master’s degrees in business administration and manufacturing engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and Bachelor of Science degrees in mechanical and industrial engineering from Kettering University in Flint. In 2022, she was named an Industry Influencer by the Automotive Hall of Fame.
