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Big Bill Ford's FoMoCo Shake-Up: Anyone Seen Mark Fields?

By Ray Wert September 6, 2006 8:43 am EST

So Big Bill Boss is stepping aside (sorta) to let Alan Mulally take a shot at the helm of FoMoCo, but what's going to happen to Bill's hand-picked management team? He's elevated folks like Mark Fields to run NorAm operations, Anne Stevens to COO for the Americas, and he's even brought in folks like Steve Hamp as his Chief o' Staff. Hamp's prior job was a 27-year career at The Henry Ford museum in Dearborn, MI. Although that's not to say that Bill's Bold personnel Moves haven't been good ones — it's just an odd move to make a guy your CoS whose only experience has been running a museum. And as for Ford's CWFO (Chief Way Forward Officer) Fields, he's already laying down the spin, sending an e-mail late in the evening to all NorAm staff answering the burning question in everyone's mind: "how Alan's appointment affects the Way Forward plan and our efforts to accelerate our pace of progress throughout The Americas." And by answer it, we mean Fields answers with more of the same thing we've seen before, like: "In the meantime, nothing is more important than continuing to deliver our Way Forward plan – with more speed and a greater sense or urgency than ever."

Anyone got the odds on how long Mark Fields will be continuing to deliver the "Way Forward" plan once Mulally Drive takes over? Full text of his e-mail to staff after the jump.

From: Mark Fields

Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 5:22 PM

To: Team Members in and Supporting The Americas

Subject: We Welcome Alan Mulally

By now, you will have seen or heard the news that Alan Mulally has been named the company's new president and chief executive officer. You might be wondering how Alan's appointment affects the Way Forward plan and our efforts to accelerate our pace of progress throughout The Americas.

I had the opportunity to spend time with Alan today. I can say without question that we are fortunate to have him on the Ford team, and I am looking forward to working with him.

Alan is an experienced leader who has a long list of proven turnaround skills and accomplishments from his 37 years at The Boeing Company. From our discussions today, it is clear that Alan shares Bill Ford's and my desire to move further and faster in executing our North America turnaround and to continue our momentum and success in the rest of The Americas.

I am particularly impressed with Alan's focus on the customer, the brand and the products as key ingredients to a successful turnaround. Under Alan's direction during its turnaround, Boeing revamped complex manufacturing systems, introduced lean practices and improved relationships with all of its stakeholders. The results were improved efficiency, reduced costs, higher quality, faster delivery times and, importantly, a return to profitability. You've heard all of those same targets in our Way Forward plan.

In addition, Alan helped Boeing get closer to its customers and develop new fuel-efficient, reliable airplanes for a fast-changing marketplace hit by rising gas and commodity prices – another similarity to what's happening in our own business.

Alan will be making his way around and meeting as many team members as possible in the weeks and months ahead. As you see him in action, I am certain you will share my optimism in having such an experienced leader who knows how to help all of us secure a stronger future for Ford Motor Company.

In the meantime, nothing is more important than continuing to deliver our Way Forward plan – with more speed and a greater sense or urgency than ever.

Thank you all for your hard work and your continued support.

Big Bill Ford's FoMoCo Shake-Up: Anyone Seen Mark Fields?

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