Mellen Named Ford’s General Counsel, Succeeding Gayton; Jennings Made Purchasing Vice President, Company Officer
July 20 2020 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
- Jonathan Jennings’ new position enables Lisa Drake to focus
exclusively on role as COO for North America automotive
Ford Motor Company today announced senior leadership changes,
naming a new general counsel and promoting another executive to a
vice president and corporate officer role.
John Mellen, longtime associate general counsel at Ford, will
become general counsel effective Aug. 1, assuming responsibility
for global legal matters and overseeing the company’s legal team.
Mellen, a 39-year Ford veteran, will replace Bradley Gayton, who
has accepted a position as senior vice president and general
counsel at The Coca-Cola Company. Gayton’s last day with Ford will
be Aug. 31, affording several weeks for transition.
Also, Jonathan Jennings has been named vice president, Global
Commodity Purchasing and Supplier Technical Assistance, and a
corporate officer by Ford’s board of directors.
Mellen succeeding Gayton as general
counsel
“John Mellen has been invaluable in advancing and protecting
Ford as associate general counsel,” said Jim Hackett, Ford’s
president and CEO. “His wisdom and relationships will help sustain
our ambition to build trust and generate superior value for
customers and other stakeholders.”
In his most recent role, Mellen managed Ford’s global litigation
practice and provided counsel in areas including safety and
environmental regulatory compliance, labor and employment,
occupational health and safety, and insurance.
Hackett said Gayton has had tremendous, positive influence
inside and outside Ford.
“Bradley is an exceptional strategic business leader and
advisor, and we’re grateful for everything he’s done,” said
Hackett. “His legal and administrative functions are world-class,
partly because of how Bradley uses agile teams to operate most
efficiently and create a rich environment for development.”
Beyond the company, Gayton and his team bolstered Ford’s
longstanding tradition for providing pro bono legal services to
underserved neighbors in Southeast Michigan and around the globe
and established a program to introduce minority high school
students to careers in law.
Gayton said leaving Ford after 29 years won’t be easy.
“Ford is deeply part of me, and it’s been an honor to make a
difference at such an iconic and important global company,” he
said. “There’s a lot to be proud of, particularly the programs
we’ve established that could enhance diversity for generations to
come.
“I’m always looking for fresh ways to think, learn, and innovate
and this move will provide me and my family the opportunity for new
challenges and growth on behalf of another storied brand.”
Gayton’s responsibilities for Sustainability, Environment and
Safety Engineering; Corporate Services; Global Shared Service
Center Operations; Security; and Ford Land, which manages company
facilities and real estate, will be the subject of a future
announcement.
Jennings promoted to corporate officer
position in Global Purchasing
Jennings’ new assignment is part of a series of organizational
moves to further improve fitness and effectiveness in the company’s
purchasing division. Jennings is succeeding Lisa Drake in those
responsibilities, allowing Drake to focus exclusively on her role
as chief operating officer for Ford’s North America automotive
business.
In the new position, Jennings will report to Hau Thai-Tang,
Ford’s chief product development and purchasing officer. Jennings
will be responsible for all production procurement, together with
quality and launch performance of the supply base through the
company’s Supplier Technical Assistance program. His assignment is
effective Aug. 1.
“Jonathan has broad global experience in key purchasing and
product development leadership roles,” said Thai-Tang. “He will
partner with our suppliers to bring Ford customers outstanding
innovation, quality and value.”
Since joining Ford in 1993 as a manufacturing engineer at the
Cleveland Casting Plant, Jennings has held positions in Detroit;
Chicago; Hermosillo, Mexico; Bangkok, Thailand; and Shanghai,
China. Among other assignments, he was director, Supplier Technical
Assistance Engineering, for Ford’s business in Asia Pacific and
Africa; led Product Development teams responsible for delivering on
compact-car programs; and oversaw Enterprise Product Line
Management for the company’s Lincoln luxury brand.
# # #
About Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is
a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs,
manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars,
trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles;
provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company; and
is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility
solutions, including self-driving services; and connected services.
Ford employs approximately 188,000 people worldwide. For more
information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit
Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.
For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos
and video, visit www.media.ford.com.
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