Who Will Be Ford's Next Alpha Male?
The line of succession at Ford Motor Company doesn't have a Ford in it (surprise!). In an interview with Automotive News [sub] last week, Ford personnel chief Joe Laymon laid out the short list for the next CEO. Of course, the board of directors has the right to consider other than these candidates, but the self-proclaimed "owner of Ford's succession-planning process" said CEO Alan Mulally asked him to identify those within the corporate structure worthy of ascension to the throne. Not surprisingly, "Mullet" Mark Fields is on the list; when asked to comment on his chances of making it to the top, he stated "I am not going to go there…I am not focused at all on things like the succession race. We [note the change to the "royal we"] are focusing on doing our jobs." And of course, Big Al's favorite Toyota ex-pat Jim Farley made it. Assuming the proper "aw shucks" attitude, he humbly commented "You earn those opportunities. Right now, I haven't done anything." [At least he admits it; honesty has to count for something.] The other four in the running are Lewis Booth (VP for Ford of Europe and what's left of the PAG), Joe Hinrichs (VP of global manufacturing), Don Leclair (CFO), and Stephen Odell (COO, Ford of Europe). So who will it be when Mulally's five-year contract runs out in 2011? Just as with GM, watch to see who they move into the corporate COO position next.
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Oh dear lord, if Mark Fields gets top seat, Ford is done! Mark Fields has to be one of the most over-rated managers in the car industry. When he was CEO at Mazda (to turn it around), Mazda started showing a profit weeks after Fields took the helm. Now, no manager is so good it can take a company the size of Mazda and make it show a profit after weeks! I strongly suspect that the previous management laid the groundwork and Fields took the credit.
John : March 24th, 2008 at 9:36 am I don’t understand the accompanying picture. Is the next alpha male going to crawl out of that thing? John No, i think it's more of a subtle suggestion as to where FoMoCo is headed especially the WAY the company is being run and managed TODAY!
Does this mean Mulally is bailing? It will be a miracle if they avoid Chapter 11.
The Luigiian- Actually, if Mullaly turns them around (and he admits himself that there may not be enough time) he will have been a BARGAIN at twice the price. It's not the price of the employee, it's the value he/she adds to the organization above that price that determines whether they are good for the company. (Note to UAW, you may want to look at this concept) (Note to GM Board-apply it to Rick and Bob). Cordially, Bunter