DETROIT _ Days after introducing a new CEO, Ford Motor Co. announced a new leadership team.
In a news release Thursday morning, new CEO Jim Hackett described the changes as showing the company's efforts to, among other things, speed up decision-making.
"The leadership changes we are announcing today across our global business are important as we foster even greater teamwork, accountability and nimble decision-making," Hackett said in the release. "I am excited to work together with Bill Ford and such a talented and diverse group of leaders to create a more vibrant Ford that delivers value for all of our stakeholders."
The executives repositioned through Thursday's announcement fall under three areas: global markets, global operations and mobility.
Earlier this week, Jim Farley, who had been president of Europe, and Joe Hinrichs, who had been president of the Americas, gained new global roles, and Marcy Klevorn was named as executive vice president and president of mobility.
Working under Farley, now executive vice president and president of global markets, will be:
_Raj Nair, 52, who effective June 1 will be executive vice president and president of North America, succeeding Hinrichs. Nair previously served as executive vice president of product development and chief technical officer, leading the company's global product development operations and playing a key role in the company's mobility efforts, the release said.
_Peter Fleet, named group vice president and president of Asia Pacific, succeeds Dave Schoch, who is to retire after 40 years. Fleet, 50, will lead all Ford's operations and partnerships in Asia Pacific, effective July 1. As chairman and CEO of Ford China, he also will lead Ford's Lincoln business there, the Ford China import business, Ford's passenger car joint venture, Changan Ford, and investment with Jiangling Motors Corp.
_Mark Ovenden, 53, will be vice president of marketing, sales and service for Asia Pacific.
_Steven Armstrong, effective June 1, will be group vice president and president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, succeeding Farley. Armstrong is 52.
_Sherif Marakby, who has a background in electrification and previously worked for Ford for more than 25 years, will take on the newly created position of vice president of autonomous vehicles and electrification, effective June 12.
_Lyle Watters will continue in his role as vice president of Ford South America.
Working under Hinrichs, now executive vice president and president of global operations, will be:
_Hau Thai-Tang, 50, who was appointed executive vice president of product development and purchasing.
Under Klevorn in mobility will be:
_Neil Schloss, who, effective Aug. 1, will be vice president and chief financial officer of mobility. Schloss, 58, previously served as vice president and treasurer for Ford and as chief financial officer of Ford Smart Mobility LLC, a subsidiary formed to design, build, grow and invest in emerging mobility services.
_Jeff Lemmer, effective June 1, will be vice president and chief operating officer of information technology. In this role, Lemmer, 51, will be responsible for automotive-related application development and running day-to-day operations, including networks, data centers and employee collaboration tools. He also was elected a corporate officer. Lemmer previously was director of IT operations.
Other changes announced include:
_Bradley Gayton, effective June 1, will be group vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel. He will continue to report to Hackett.
_Ken Washington, effective June 1, will be vice president of research and advanced engineering and chief technology officer. He too will report to Hackett.
_Kenneth Kent, effective Aug. 1, will be vice president and treasurer, succeeding Schloss.
