Ford has unveiled David Schoch as company officer and named him to the role of chairman and CEO, Ford Motor China, effective 1 November.
In his new role, Schoch, 60, will assume direct responsibility for the operations and business leadership of Ford Motor China. He will report to Joe Hinrichs, group vice president and president, Asia Pacific and Africa.
“We have put in place aggressive expansion plans for Ford in China,” said Hinrichs. “As Ford China enters into a phase of accelerated growth, Dave, with his unique combination of skills and experience, is well suited to lead Ford China and take our expansion plans to the next level, including bringing four new plants on line and launching 15 new vehicles by 2015.
“Dave’s appointment greatly strengthens our leadership team in China and demonstrates Ford’s continued strong commitment to China, a key driver of Ford’s global growth in the next 10 years and beyond.”
Since joining Ford as a financial analyst in 1977, Schoch has held a variety of leadership positions including executive director, Ford Canada, Mexico and South America Operations.
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He also served as chief financial officer and vice president of strategic planning for Ford of Europe and chief financial officer of Ford Asia-Pacific Operations.
Replacing Schoch as controller of the Americas is K R Kent, currently executive director of investor relations. As senior finance leader for all of the Americas, Kent will report to Mark Fields, executive vice president, Ford Motor Company, and president, the Americas.
“KR brings a wealth of experience to the Americas, including insights and lessons learned during international assignments,” Fields said. “He has been a great partner as leader of our investor relations team, and now we look forward to KR assuming a central role within the Americas.”
Kent joined Ford in 1987. Throughout his career, he has held a variety of finance positions, including chief financial officer, Ford Motor Credit Company; controller, product development, Ford of Europe; and assistant treasurer, Ford Motor Company.
George Sharp, currently director of investor relations, will lead Ford’s effort to further strengthen the investor relations function and deepen Ford’s and Ford Credit’s engagement with the investment community in the equity and fixed income arenas. Sharp will report to Ford Vice President and Treasurer Neil Schloss. The appointment is effective 1 November.
“George brings experience and knowledge about Ford, the automotive and financial services industry and the capital markets,” said Neil Schloss, Ford vice president and treasurer.
Sharp joined Ford in 1976 and has served in several roles within the global finance organisation, including vice president of finance for Ford of Canada, controller for product strategy, competitive analysis manager and director of corporate financial analysis.
