Ford Shakes Up Senior Leadership Posts
Ford Motor Company has announced multiple global leadership changes, notably that Kumar Galhotra, 51, has been named group vice president, Lincoln and Chief Marketing Officer, effective Nov. 1. He will report to Jim Farley, executive vice president and president, Global Markets.
In this expanded position, Kumar will continue to lead the transformation of Lincoln, a role he has held since September 2014.
With nearly 30 years of global experience within Ford and Lincoln, Galhotra is versed in product development, business strategy and the role that marketing, sales and service plays within the process.
At the same time, Stephen Odell, 62, executive vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service has elected to retire, after 37 years of service at Ford.
Ford also is announcing the following changes in Global Operations and Ford of Europe.
Linda Cash, 55, is named vice president, Quality and New Model Launch, reporting to Joe Hinrichs, executive vice president and president, Global Operations.
In this role, she is responsible for driving quality processes throughout the design and production of Ford vehicles, and for new model launches globally, ensuring alignment throughout the business operations. Joining Ford in 1984, Cash has spent her entire career with Ford in Manufacturing. She previously was vice president, Manufacturing, Ford of Europe, based in Cologne, Germany.
Cash succeeds Bennie Fowler, 61, group vice president, Quality and New Model Launch, who has elected to retire.
Succeeding Cash is Dale Wishnousky, 54, who is named vice president, Manufacturing, Ford of Europe and is appointed a company officer. Based in Cologne, Wishnousky will report jointly to Steven Armstrong, group vice president and president, Europe, Middle East and Africa and to Bruce Hettle, group vice president, Manufacturing and Labor Affairs. Wishnousky previously served as director, Global Manufacturing Business Office.
In Ford of Europe, Birgit Behrendt, 58, is named vice president, Joint Ventures, Alliances and Commercial Affairs, reporting to Steven Armstrong. Appointed a corporate officer in 2013, Behrendt is the highest-ranking German national and first-ever German national female officer working for Ford of Europe.
In this newly created position based in Cologne, Behrendt will be responsible for all joint ventures and alliances in Europe, including the development of new arrangements to support the company’s business growth. She also will be part of the leadership team responsible for driving the region’s strategic initiatives.
Joining Ford in 1978, Behrendt has held various positions within Purchasing and several global leadership roles. She most recently served as vice president Global Powertrain Purchasing and Global Purchasing Operations in Dearborn, Mich.
Succeeding Behrendt is Lisa Drake, 45, who is named vice president, Global Powertrain Purchasing and Global Purchasing Operations. She also is appointed a company officer.
In this role, Drake will be responsible for all powertrain purchasing operations worldwide, as well as global operational purchasing performance. She will report jointly to Hau Thai-Tang, executive vice president, Product Development and Purchasing and to Raj Nair, executive vice president and president of North America.
The following leadership changes also are effective:
Felicia Fields, 52, group vice president, Human Resources, has elected to retire after more than 30 years with the company.
Kiersten Robinson, 47, executive director of Human Resources, Global Markets, will serve as the company’s interim Human Resources leader, effective Nov. 1.
John Casesa, 55, group vice president, Global Strategy, also has elected to leave the company, effective Nov. 1, as the company realigns the global strategy function.
Category: Featured, General Update, News
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