Darryl Hazel will succeed Brian Kelley as president of Ford’s Lincoln Mercury division on August 1 after Kelley resigned to become president and chief executive officer of SIRVA, a global relocation, moving and logistics company.

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Kelley is the latest of several young executives recruited by former chief executive Jacques Nasser, to leave Ford.


He joined in 1999 as head of marketing, sales and service, then ran Ford’s global consumer services unit before being appointed president of Lincoln Mercury late last year.


US reports say that sales of Lincoln and Mercury brand vehicles are down 16.6 and 18.3% so far this year, far more than the industry average, with analysts blaming the slump on a dearth of new products to lure customers into showrooms.


Last May, Lincoln Mercury was effectively put under the control of seasoned Ford executive Jim O’Connor who was promoted to group vice president for North American marketing, sales and service.

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Earlier this month Ford said that Karen Francis, also appointed by Nasser and head of the e-commerce division, would resign from August 1.


Hazel is succeeded as vice president, Ford Customer Service Division by Kathleen Ligocki, vice president, Marketing and Operations.  Joe Greenwell, vice president, Global Automotive and Product Promotions and Associations, will succeed Ligocki.


Jim Vella, vice president, Corporate Public Affairs, will assume Greenwell’s former responsibilities in addition to his own and has been named vice president, Public Affairs.


Hazel, 53, joined Ford in 1972 as a Lincoln Mercury analyst.  During his career, he has held a number of positions of increasing responsibility in Lincoln Mercury, including general sales manager.  He also has experience as Ford Division general marketing manager and in marketing research.  Hazel spent the last four years leading Ford Customer Service Division.