Executive Changes
Ford Motor Co
14 March 2008
Contact: Marcey Evans Mark Truby
(313) 322-9211 (313) 323-0539
mevans13@ford.com mtruby@ford.com
FORD MAKES SENIOR LEADERSHIP CHANGES; ALSO MOVES TO STREAMLINE EXECUTIVE RANKS
DEARBORN, Mich., March 14 - Ford Motor Company today announced several executive
moves and title changes that will further strengthen the company's senior
leadership team and streamline its officer-level organizational structure.
Stephen Odell is named chief operating officer, Ford of Europe. Odell, 53, will
report to John Fleming, president and CEO, Ford of Europe, and assume
responsibility for Ford of Europe's Product Development, Manufacturing,
Purchasing, and Marketing, Sales and Service operations. Odell joined Ford in
1980 and has held key positions at Ford of Europe, Mazda and Jaguar. In his new
role, Odell will accelerate the drive to reduce complexity and lead Ford of
Europe's growing role in developing global vehicle programs.
'Stephen has done an excellent job of reinvigorating our Marketing, Sales and
Service functions since he returned to Ford of Europe,' Fleming said. 'As we
move into a more intensive phase of our global transformation, now is the right
time to make more of Stephen's extensive operational experience around the
world. Giving him operational responsibility for Ford of Europe will help us
raise our game as we take a prominent role in developing new vehicles globally.'
Ingvar Sviggum, 62, also has been elected a corporate officer and will replace
Odell as vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.
'I'm delighted that Ingvar will be stepping up to lead Marketing, Sales and
Service for Ford of Europe. There is nobody better experienced,' Odell said.
'He has shown great leadership in driving our recent, strong volume growth
across Europe.'
Both appointments are effective on April 1.
In addition, Ford is announcing changes in the titles of certain corporate
officer positions in an effort to streamline and clarify its senior-level
organizational structure going forward. Under the new structure, corporate
officers with global responsibilities who report directly to Ford President and
CEO Alan Mulally will carry the title of group vice president. The move does
not affect Ford's executive vice presidents.
Effective April 1, five corporate officers will become group vice president.
They are:
• Tony Brown, 52, previously senior vice president, Global Purchasing;
• Sue Cischke, 54, previously senior vice president, Sustainability,
Environment and Safety Engineering;
• Bennie Fowler, 51, previously vice president, Quality;
• David Leitch, 47, previously senior vice president and General Counsel; and
• Nick Smither, 49, previously vice president and Chief Information Officer.
'The changes announced today will bolster an already top-notch leadership team
at Ford Motor Company,' Mulally said. 'At the same time that Ford of Europe is
strengthening its operating leadership, we're reducing management layers among
our senior leaders with global responsibilities. This is a continuing part of
our effort to reduce complexity and streamline our internal processes.'
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn,
Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six
continents. With about 245,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the
company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land
Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial
services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding
Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange