Ford's Galhotra succeeds Farley as head of Lincoln
Wed, 23 Jul 2014Ford Motor Company is announcing a major personnel shakeup that could have a dramatic effect on the future of the Lincoln division. Kumar Galhotra (pictured above), currently vice president of engineering at Ford for all of its vehicles worldwide, is taking over as the president of the luxury brand on September 1, replacing Jim Farley. The automaker is also hiring a new head of advanced engineering.
Galhotra has a huge job ahead of him as the new boss of Lincoln worldwide, overseeing product development, marketing, sales and service. His task is to turn the luxury division into a world-class brand as quickly as possible, and he reports directly to Ford President and CEO Mark Fields.
"These changes underscore our commitment to build on the success of our One Ford plan by accelerating our pace of progress. They also make clear we are serious about Lincoln as a world-class luxury brand and that product excellence and innovation are what will deliver growth and define our entire company going forward," said Fields in the company's announcement.
Since starting at the Blue Oval in 1988, Galhotra has had a long history of positions in engineering and planning. Perhaps most importantly to his new job, he led product development in the Asia Pacific and Africa regions starting in 2009. The experience may have give him some vital insight for Lincoln's imminent expansion into China.
In one other personnel shift, Paul Mascarenas is retiring from his role as vice president of research and advanced engineering after spending 32 years with Ford. His replacement is Dr. Ken Washington, a VP of R&D for space technology at Lockheed Martin. The new role puts Washington in charge of the Blue Oval's technology strategy. Scroll down to read the full release about all of the changes.
PAUL MASCARENAS RETIRING AFTER 32 YEARS; FORD UNDERSCORES DRIVE FOR INNOVATION AND ACCELERATES LINCOLN WITH NEW SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS
After 32 years of service, Paul Mascarenas retiring as chief technical officer and vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering, effective, Oct. 1
Dr. Ken Washington named vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering; former Lockheed Martin executive to help lead Ford's accelerated drive for innovation
Kumar Galhotra named vice president and president, Lincoln; will oversee Lincoln as a world-class luxury brand
Jim Holland named vice president, Vehicle Component and Systems Engineering, succeeding Galhotra
Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] announced today a series of changes in its senior leadership team to continue delivering the company's One Ford plan while accelerating its drive for product excellence, innovation and Lincoln.
Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering, has elected to retire after 32 years at Ford, effective Oct. 1. He is being succeeded by Dr. Ken Washington, who is named vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering, effective Aug. 18. Reporting to Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development, Washington most recently was vice president of the Space Technology Advanced Research & Development Laboratories at Lockheed Martin's Space Systems Company.
In addition, Kumar Galhotra – currently the company's vice president of Engineering, responsible for all Ford and Lincoln vehicles globally – is named vice president and president of Lincoln, effective Sept. 1. This new dedicated position, reporting to Ford President and CEO Mark Fields, is designed to accelerate Lincoln even further as a world-class luxury brand. Galhotra becomes the most senior leader overseeing all Lincoln operations globally, including product development; marketing, sales and service; and all team members supporting the Lincoln brand.
Succeeding Galhotra is Jim Holland, who is named vice president, Vehicle Component and Systems Engineering, effective Sept. 1, also reporting to Nair.
"These changes underscore our commitment to build on the success of our One Ford plan by accelerating our pace of progress," Ford President and CEO Mark Fields said. "They also make clear we are serious about Lincoln as a world-class luxury brand and that product excellence and innovation are what will deliver growth and define our entire company going forward."
Research and Advanced Engineering
Since joining Ford in 1982, Mascarenas has amassed extensive experience in product development and advanced technology, serving in key leadership positions in product planning, program management, body engineering and powertrain in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Mascarenas' accomplishments include establishing Ford's first-ever laboratory in Silicon Valley and playing a key role in the development of Ford's Blueprint for Mobility to create a better world for consumers and society.
In succeeding Mascarenas, Washington will oversee the development and implementation of the company's technology strategy and plans – helping to lead Ford's accelerated drive for innovation throughout all areas of its business. Washington's 28-year career includes serving at Lockheed Martin, Enterprise Business Services and Sandia National Laboratories in nuclear engineering, information systems, super-computing, information privacy and R&D space technologies.
"Paul is a very dedicated and talented leader who has served within product development and advanced engineering around the Ford world for the past 32 years," Nair said. "We thank him for his many contributions and wish him all the best in the future.
"Ken is a dynamic leader and successful innovator with vast experience in research and advanced engineering," added Nair. "We look forward to all he will bring to the Ford team as we accelerate our drive for innovation in every part of our business."
Lincoln
In being named the company's new dedicated global Lincoln leader, Galhotra will build on the brand's recent product and sales momentum – including its recent expansion into China. Galhotra will oversee the development of the next generation of Lincoln vehicles as well as connect them with a new generation of Lincoln clients. His focus is to build on the appeal of Lincoln not only through its distinctive vehicles but also a world-class, luxury ownership experience.
"Now is the right time for the next chapter in accelerating Lincoln as a world-class luxury brand," Fields said. "Kumar has more than 25 years of global product and business experience, including leading engineering for all of our Lincoln vehicles today. Being our dedicated senior Lincoln leader will serve our clients, employees and dealers extremely well going forward."
Vehicle Component and System Engineering
In succeeding Galhotra, Holland is responsible for vehicle component and system engineering for Ford and Lincoln vehicles globally. His role is central to the company's commitment to developing vehicles with top quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart technology and value.
Currently engineering director for the company's Asia Pacific operations and based in Australia, Holland has 30 years of experience at Ford in a variety of senior positions in product development, vehicle engineering, product planning and hybrid technologies. His accomplishments include serving as the chief engineer for the acclaimed Ford Explorer introduced in 2010 and now sold in more than 60 countries worldwide.
"Jim is one of our most respected engineering leaders inside Ford and, frankly, within the industry," Nair said. "He has served in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific on a wide variety of product programs and engineering assignments. We look forward to what his passion for product excellence and engineering discipline will bring to our entire vehicle lineup."
By Chris Bruce
See also: V6 engines will outpace V8s for the 2015 Ford F-150, 2015 Ford F-150 specs revealed, EcoBoost 2.7L to make 325 hp and 375 lb-ft [w/video], Autoblog Podcast #390.