Ford has announced the retirement of two senior executives and a series of what it calls ‘key leadership changes’ that further strengthen its management team and support the company’s “One Ford” transformation plan.
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Peter Daniel, 62, senior vice president and controller, Ford Motor Company, is retiring effective Oct. 1, after 38 years with Ford.
“Peter’s financial expertise and leadership has been extremely valuable for Ford. He deserves credit for his partnering with operations to improve performance, helping Ford maintain a laser focus on cash during a critical period for the company and for his role in negotiating the landmark VEBA agreement with the UAW,” said Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO.
Darryl Hazel, 61, senior vice president and president, Ford Customer Service Division, is retiring after 37 years with the company. He will serve as a special advisor to Ford on global service initiatives through the end of the year.
“Darryl has been a truly distinguished marketing, sales and service leader who is leaving a legacy of consistently delivering strong results and mentoring future executives over the course of four decades,” Mulally said.
“We will miss Peter and Darryl but are very fortunate to have a deep and talented management team poised to continue our progress toward building an exciting and profitably growing Ford.”
Succeeding Daniel will be Bob Shanks, 56, who currently is vice president and controller of Ford’s Americas operations. Shanks becomes vice president and controller, Ford Motor Company, on Sept. 1. He will report to Lewis Booth, Ford executive vice president and chief financial officer, and will work with Daniel to ensure a seamless transition.
“Bob brings a wealth of global experience and a proven track record to an important job at a critical time for Ford and the auto industry,” Booth said. “His leadership will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our balance sheet, reduce costs and maximize our investment in more great new products around the world.”
Dave Schoch, 58, currently head of Canada, Mexico and South America, will become controller, the Americas, effective Sept. 1. Schoch has held several key finance roles within Ford’s global operations, including chief financial officer of both Ford of Europe and Ford Asia Pacific. Schoch will report to Mark Fields, Ford’s president, the Americas, in his new role.
“Dave has done a great job further integrating our operations in Canada, Mexico and South America, building on his many years of successful leadership in Ford’s finance operations around the world,” Fields said. “I am pleased to work with Dave as the senior finance leader for all of the Americas.”
Jim Farley, 47, group vice president, Global Marketing and Canada, Mexico and South America operations, will continue his role as Ford’s global marketing leader, reporting to Alan Mulally. Effective Sept. 1, he adds leadership of Ford’s operations in Canada, Mexico and South America, reporting to Fields.
“Jim has made great progress connecting with our customers and building a strong foundation for our success in North America,” Mulally said. “He will continue to lead marketing globally, focusing on building the Ford brand around the world and working closely with our product development organization on strategy and planning. Jim’s experience and passion for our business will be invaluable in his expanded role leading our Canada, Mexico and South America operations.”
Concurrent with Farley’s expanded operational role, Ray Day, vice president, Communications, now will report to Mulally.
Ken Czubay, 60, is appointed to the expanded role of vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. He now reports to Fields.
“Working together with Jim Farley, Ken’s leadership of our U.S. sales team has helped Ford deliver market share gains for seven of the past eight months while at the same time reducing incentives, improving transaction prices and growing resale values for our customers,” Fields said. “Ken now will build on those achievements taking on leadership of our entire integrated sales, marketing and service teams.”
Reporting to Czubay and succeeding Hazel will be Frederiek Toney, who is elected vice president, Ford Customer Service Division and a corporate officer of Ford Motor Company, effective Sept. 1.
“Frederiek is an excellent choice to succeed me, and I am confident that he will continue to deliver strong results for FCSD,” Hazel said. “I have had the opportunity to work closely with Frederiek and watch him develop as a very strong leader.”
Fields said the Americas team is well positioned to build on the progress of the past three years.
“We are proud to have a team of proven leaders who will help us continue the strong progress we are making in the Americas,” Fields said. “In the most severe economic downturn in decades, we are introducing an unprecedented number of great new products, winning new customers and fixing the fundamentals of the business for the long term. This new team will help us keep gaining momentum going forward.”
