As of late, Ford news has surrounded the firm announcement made earlier this year pertaining to the retirement of longtime Ford executive, Greg Smith. After starting out as an engineer with truck operations in 1973, Smith was atop Ford news as he moved up to Vice Chairman after more than 30 years with the firm. Now, after 32 years of service, Smith has announced his retirement successful March 1, 2006.
“Greg has contributed tremendously to Ford Motor Company in many areas, such as leading the turnaround at Ford Motor Credit,” admits Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill Ford. “His deep knowledge of all aspects of the company has been extremely useful as we’ve developed our plans for the future, and I’m pleased he will remain with us in a consulting role.”
Upon joining Ford in 1973 as an engineer with truck operations, a recent Ford news release explains that Greg Smith also held several engineering and product planning positions within the business. In 1985, Smith moved to the Ford Division as Truck and Powertrain Advertising Plans manager before becoming the manager of Vehicle Marketing Plans. Finally, he accepted the position of Central Region Marketing manager. Smith later went from the Ford Division to the Lincoln Mercury Division, which is where he became the Dallas District Operations manager.
After returning from Dallas in 1990, Smith was named Director of Technique and Advanced Planning for vehicle product development. Just 3 years later, in 1993, he was promoted to executive director of Strategic Planning and External Affairs for the Ford Financial Services Group. Following that, Smith was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Ford Motor Credit before being named the Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Credit. In 2004, he became a organization Executive Vice President and President of the Americas, which is a position that he held until he was elected Vice Chariman.
“Greg’s respect for his fellow employees and his leadership behaviors are well recognized and extremely regarded throughout the firm,” said Jim Padilla, Ford Motor Company president and Chief Operating Officer. According to a recent Ford news release, Padilla added, “We appreciate his many contributions and will significantly miss his understanding and insight.”
As Vice Chairman, Smith was responsible for a selection of firm operations, which includes the direction of central corporate staffs. Among other people, he was responsible for directing the departments of Human Resources and Labor Affairs, Corporate Strategy and Details Technology and Automotive Technique. As Vice Chairman, Greg Smith was a regular participant in Ford news releases, as well as being in charge of guiding Ford Motor Company’s strategic development, contemplating and enforcing key decisions and defining it’s future financial services.
From new automobiles to racing and even to retirement, Ford news is widely read by auto enthusiasts worldwide. Wherever automotive happenings occur, it is practically certain to incorporate some type of Ford news in the mix.
