Ford of Canada names new president and CEO
Date: Friday, April 07 @ 00:00:00 UTC
Topic: Black Habits Articles


African-American, William Osborne is appointed president and CEO, Ford of Canada, effective November 1, 2005.

OAKVILLE, Ontario, October 18, 2005 – Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, today announced the appointment of William Osborne as president and CEO, effective November 1, 2005, replacing Joe Hinrichs who was recently named vice president, North America Vehicle Operations, Ford Motor Company.

Osborne, 45, is currently the executive director, Ford Pickup Truck and Commercial Vehicles at Ford Motor Company.

"The Ford of Canada team has not only stopped a continuing market share decline but reversed course and increased retail sales in a very competitive marketplace. We expect Bill Osborne will take this momentum to the next level with a focus on strengthening our brand appeal, improving our product lineup and making our business in Canada even stronger," said Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company executive vice president and president, The Americas.

Osborne joined Ford 15 years ago and has held a variety of roles in product design, development and engineering. He was the Vehicle Line Director for the heavy truck business, which included Super Duty, F-Series and Excursion, and was responsible for the overall growth and business development of the Super Duty vehicle line.

"I look forward to building on the positive momentum already generated by the Ford of Canada team," Osborne said. "There will always be challenges, but when you have Canada's best-selling SUV, best-selling pick-up truck and more great new products coming, you know you have an edge you can use. With an innovative spirit, we'll build on that advantage."

Osborne's earlier assignments included Assistant Vehicle Line Director for the mid-size sedan platform and Manufacturing Operations Manager at Romeo Engine Plant, the most productive V-8 engine plant in North America. He also previously led the V-Engine Design activity of Powertrain Operations, the Engine System activity for Duratec V-6 engines and Ford's Advanced Powertrain activities in noise and vibration research.

Osborne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from GMI Engineering & Management Institute, a Master's of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University.

******************* Biography: William H. Osborne

Title: President and CEO, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited

William (Bill) H. Osborne is president and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, appointed to the position in November, 2005.

He leads Ford of Canada's extensive operations across the country, including a national headquarters, three regional offices, two branch offices, five vehicle assembly and engine manufacturing plants, two parts distribution centres, and affiliates including Ford Credit, Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover and Hertz.

Ford employs approximately 14,000 people in Canada, while an additional 19,000 people are employed in the more than 470 Ford and Ford-Lincoln dealerships across the country.

In 2004, revenues for Ford's Canadian operations were $18.1 billion, making Ford of Canada one of the country's largest privately held companies.

Since 1990, Ford has invested more than $10 billion in its Canadian operations, its fourth-largest market worldwide.

Prior to joining Ford of Canada, Osborne was Executive Director, Ford Pickup Truck and Commercial Vehicles.

In this capacity, he had overall business and product development responsibility for F-Series, Super Duty, Ranger and Econoline and all Commercial Truck products.

He assumed this position in December 2003.

Osborne previously served as the Engineering Director for Ford's "Tough Truck" Business Group where he was responsible for the Design and Development of all Commercial and Personal Use Trucks for the North American market.

He was named to this role in January 2001.

Since joining Ford in 1990, Osborne has progressed through a number of design and development positions.

He was the Vehicle Line Director for the over 8,500 lb. GVW truck business, which included Super Duty, F-Series and Excursion, and was responsible for the overall growth and business development of the Super Duty vehicle line.

Earlier assignments included Assistant Vehicle Line Director for the mid-size sedan platform and Manufacturing Operations Manager at Romeo Engine Plant, the most productive V-8 engine plant in North America.

He also previously led the V-Engine Design activity of Powertrain Operations, the Engine System activity for Duratec V-6 engines and Ford's Advanced Powertrain activities in noise and vibration research.

Osborne was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 27, 1960 . He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from GMI Engineering & Management Institute, a Master's of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University.

He is married with three children.







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