The great-great grandchildren of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Co., are planning to step into key roles as members of the influential board of directors this year, the company announced Friday.
Alexandra Ford English and Henry Ford III have been nominated by the company to stand for election to the board at its virtual annual shareholder meeting on May 13.
Based on recent history, it would be highly unusual for Ford board recommendations not to win approval.
English, 33, is the daughter of Bill Ford, executive chairman of the company. She joined Ford in 2017 and works as director of corporate strategy and is responsible for enterprise, connectivity and digital network strategic plans, the company said.
She previously was director of market and operations for Ford Autonomous Vehicles LLC, and overseeing activity in Miami, Austin, Texas, and Washington, D.C., the company said.
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Henry Ford III, 40, is the son of Edsel B. Ford II and an investor relations director at Ford. He joined the company in 2006 and worked in labor relations, purchasing, marketing and sales, and corporate strategy.
The company credited Henry Ford III in its news release for being part of the team that negotiated the landmark 2008 labor agreement with the UAW.
"As an uncle, as a father and as executive chairman, I’m really proud," Bill Ford told the Free Press on Friday. "I think both Alexandra and Henry are exceptionally talented. They both have shown they care deeply about the company."
In May 2020, Alexandra Ford English replaced the company's veteran manufacturing executive Joe Hinrichs on the board of Rivian, the electric carmaker, as the company representative. Prior to working at Ford, she ran merchandising divisions for Tory Burch in New York City and Gap Inc., in San Francisco. She earned a bachelor's degree from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard University.
When doing an interview about finding personal time during COVID-19, Bill Ford has talked about spending time with Alexandra's daughter, and how it has given him delight looking for frogs and turtles with her.
Henry Ford III, known as "Sonny" within the family, uses "Henry" professionally. He has worked as a global marketing manager for Ford Performance and "played a key role in the launch of the latest Ford GT and supported the company's successful return to racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans," the company said.
He earned a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management. Bill Ford also earned a graduate degree from MIT.
Meanwhile, Edsel Ford, 72, is retiring from the board in May. He was elected on Jan. 18, 1988, at the age of 39, along with his cousin, Bill Ford, then 30.
Edsel Ford is a member of the board's finance committee and sustainability and innovation committee.
"It has been my honor and privilege to serve on the Ford Motor Co. Board of Directors for more than three decades," he said in a statement.
"Our great company has been tested in many ways, not least of which it experienced in the past year, and I'm proud we have not only survived and thrived, but also held tight to the values and principles that make Ford a unique American icon," he said. "I am especially pleased that as I step down from the board, a new generation of Ford family members is poised to continue this legacy of service."
By coincidence, Edsel Ford has put his family station wagons up for auction this month with Barrett-Jackson and response to the auction news has been enthusiastic.
In addition to the retirement of Edsel Ford, the company announced John Lechleiter, 67, "has decided not to stand for reelection." The retired chairman and CEO of Eli Lilly and Co. joined the board in 2013 and has served on the compensation committee and the nominating and governance committee.
"John has been a terrific board member who cares deeply about the company," Bill Ford said in the news release. "His experience as a CEO of a caring and successful global business and deep knowledge of science, regulatory frameworks, marketing and management has allowed him to make a significant contribution to our company."
The company said "the board expects to take steps to further strengthen and diversify its makeup, including in areas that are strategically critical in this important period of transformation and growth."
In May 2019, adding women to the board came up during a shareholder meeting and Bill Ford responded that diversity was "of great interest" and to stay tuned.
He said again Friday that board diversity is "very much top of mind."
Bill Ford, 63, confirmed Friday to the Free Press that he has no plans to step down from the board. And said he's feeling more optimistic than ever about the company's future at the hands of new CEO Jim Farley.
