# William Clay Ford Jr.

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American businessman (born 1957)

"Bill Ford" redirects here. For other people of the similar name, see [William Ford (disambiguation)](/source/William_Ford_(disambiguation)).

William Clay Ford Jr. Ford in 2012 Born (1957-05-03) May 3, 1957 (age 69) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Other name Bill Ford Education Princeton University (BA) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MS) Occupation Executive Chairman of the Ford Motor Company Spouse Lisa Vanderzee Children 4 Parents William Clay Ford Sr. (father) Martha Firestone Ford (mother) Relatives Sheila Ford Hamp (sister) Henry Ford (great-grandfather) Edsel Ford (grandfather) Henry Ford II (uncle) Edsel Ford II (cousin) Harvey S. Firestone (great-grandfather) Harvey S. Firestone Jr. (grandfather) Family Ford

**William Clay Ford Jr.** (born May 3, 1957), commonly known as **Bill Ford**, is an American businessman, and the executive chair of [Ford Motor Company](/source/Ford_Motor_Company) since 1999. The great-grandson of company founder [Henry Ford](/source/Henry_Ford), Ford joined the board in 1988, and was [CEO](/source/Chief_executive_officer) of the company from 2001 to 2006.[1][2] He is the vice chair of the [Detroit Lions](/source/Detroit_Lions) [NFL](/source/National_Football_League) franchise,[3] and chair of the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce.[4]

## Early life and education

Bill Ford was born in [Detroit](/source/Detroit), Michigan, the great-grandson of [Henry Ford I](/source/Henry_Ford) and great-grandson of [Harvey S. Firestone](/source/Harvey_S._Firestone). His father was [William Clay Ford Sr.](/source/William_Clay_Ford_Sr.) and his mother was [Martha Firestone](/source/Martha_Firestone_Ford). On his mother's side, his grandparents were [Harvey S. Firestone Jr.](/source/Harvey_S._Firestone_Jr.) and [Elizabeth Parke](/source/Elizabeth_Parke_Firestone). On his father's side, his grandparents were [Edsel Ford I](/source/Edsel_Ford) and Eleanor Lowthian Clay. [Edsel Ford II](/source/Edsel_Ford_II), son of [Henry Ford II](/source/Henry_Ford_II) and also a board member, is his first cousin. Ford has three sisters: Martha Morse (who has 3 children), [Sheila Ford Hamp](/source/Sheila_Ford_Hamp) (who has 3 children), and Elizabeth Kontulis. He, like his great-grandfather Henry Ford, is of mainly Irish, English, and Belgian descent.

Ford graduated from the [Hotchkiss School](/source/Hotchkiss_School) in Connecticut in 1975.[5] He then attended [Princeton University](/source/Princeton_University) and graduated with an B.A. in history in 1979 after completing a 105-page long senior thesis titled "[Henry Ford](/source/Henry_Ford) and Labor: A Reappraisal."[6] While a student at Princeton, Ford was president of the [Ivy Club](/source/Ivy_Club) and played on the [Princeton rugby team](/source/Princeton_Rugby). In 1984 he received an [M.S.](/source/Master_of_Science) in management as a [Sloan Fellow](/source/Sloan_Fellow) from the [MIT Sloan School of Management](/source/MIT_Sloan_School_of_Management).[7]

## Career

He joined Ford in 1979 and held a variety of positions, beginning in product development and on the financial staff, a grooming ground for future executives. He served several years as a mid-ranking executive in product development. He also briefly headed the Climate Control Division (since divested from the company as part of the [Visteon](/source/Visteon) spinoff). At the time of the Ford 2000 reorganization, he was in charge of heavy truck operations.

### Corporate governance

Ford gave up an executive position in heavy truck program management to become chairman of the finance committee on the [board of directors](/source/Board_of_directors), a non-executive corporate governance position. He was elected chairman of the board in September 1998 and took office on January 1, 1999. Ford added the title of [chief executive officer](/source/Chief_executive_officer) on October 30, 2001, following the ouster of then-CEO [Jacques Nasser](/source/Jacques_Nasser). With the retirement of Ford [president](/source/President_(corporate_title)) and [chief operating officer](/source/Chief_operating_officer) Jim Padilla in April 2006, Bill Ford assumed those roles as well. On September 5, 2006, Ford announced that he was stepping down as president and CEO, naming former [Boeing](/source/Boeing) senior executive [Alan Mulally](/source/Alan_Mulally) as his replacement. Ford continues as the company's executive chairman.[2]

At the time of his stepping down, Ford was ranked 264th on *[Forbes](/source/Forbes)'* list of top-earning CEOs, at $10 million per year.[8][9]

### Business developments

In 2000, he announced that the company would achieve a 25% improvement in [fuel efficiency](/source/Fuel_efficiency) in the company's light truck fleet, including SUVs, by mid-decade.[10]

Under his direction, [Ford Motor Company](/source/Ford_Motor_Company) made technological progress toward improving fuel efficiency, with the introduction of the [Hybrid Electric](/source/Hybrid_Electric) [Escape](/source/Ford_Escape_Hybrid), the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market, achieving 36 mpg (EPA) in city driving.[11] The Escape's platform mates [Mercury Mariner](/source/Mercury_Mariner) and [Mazda Tribute](/source/Mazda_Tribute) were also scheduled to receive hybrid-electric powertrain options, along with other upcoming vehicles in the Ford product line including the [Ford Fusion](/source/Ford_Fusion_(Americas)) and [Mercury Milan](/source/Mercury_Milan). Ford announced that half of the vehicle lineup would be available with advanced hybrid-electric powerplant options by 2010, although the company's earlier pledge to build 250,000 hybrid vehicles a year by 2010 proved to be overly optimistic and had to be abandoned. Ford also continued to study [Fuel Cell](/source/Fuel_Cell)-powered electric powertrains and demonstrated hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine technologies, as well as developing the next-generation hybrid-electric systems. In addition to the Ford Escape, Hybrid Escape, Mercury Mariner, and Mazda Tribute, Ford marketed high efficiency crossover SUVs such as the [Ford Freestyle](/source/Ford_Taurus_X), the [Volvo XC70](/source/Volvo_V70%2FXC70) and the [Volvo XC90](/source/Volvo_XC90). Ford also developed new crossover SUVs, such as the [Ford Edge](/source/Ford_Edge), [Lincoln MKX](/source/Lincoln_MKX), and [Mazda CX-7](/source/Mazda_CX-7).

Ford expanded its lineup of [flexible-fuel vehicles](/source/Flexible-fuel_vehicle), [alternative fuel vehicles](/source/Alternative_fuel_vehicle), and dual-fuel vehicles. Flexible fuel vehicles can operate on a range of fuel mixtures – such as ethanol-gasoline blends ranging from pure gasoline to [E85](/source/E85) (85% [ethanol](/source/Ethanol), 15% gasoline). Alternative fuel vehicles operate on non-petroleum fuels, such as [methanol](/source/Methanol), [compressed natural gas](/source/Compressed_natural_gas) (CNG), [propane](/source/Propane), and hydrogen. Dual fuel vehicles generally have two fuel tanks – one for compressed natural gas or propane, and another for regular gasoline – with a selector switch to choose between them. Vehicles using those fueling alternatives were in test fleets, for example as taxis and shuttle buses, and some were available for sale to the public. Ford was committed to sell 250,000 alternative and flexible fuel vehicles – the majority of which would be designed to operate on ethanol-gasoline blends such as [E85](/source/E85) – in 2006.[12]

Speaking at conference in November 2000 in [London](/source/London), Ford suggested that the company might one day offer a [service where it owns vehicles and makes them available to people](/source/Vehicle_leasing) when they need access to them.[13]

Market competition, health care, and raw material costs led Ford to announce a second restructuring for its North American operations in four years. Ford's restructuring plan, dubbed "[The Way Forward](/source/The_Way_Forward)", reversed a $1.6 billion loss during 2009 in its North American operations. The company returned to profitability in 2010.[14]

### Fontinalis Partners

Ford has been a vocal advocate for improvements to be made in all modes of global transportation, having stated that governments and private industry would need to rethink transportation infrastructure and technology as the global population expands and the existing infrastructure is unable to keep pace.[15] In January 2010, he announced the launch of a strategic investment firm, Fontinalis Partners, with the purpose of investing in innovative companies developing next-generation mobility solutions.[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] Ford co-founded the firm with Ralph Booth (chairman and CEO of Booth American Company and a media and telecom investor), Mark Schulz (former head of Ford Motor Company's international operations), Chris Cheever, and Chris Thomas.[16]

## Personal life

Bill Ford is married to Lisa Vanderzee Ford, and they have four children.[17] He is first cousin to [Alfred Ford](/source/Alfred_Ford).

Ford has been a vegetarian since 1990, and adopted a [vegan](/source/Vegan) diet in 2010.[18]

## See also

- [Ford family tree](/source/Ford_family_tree)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Zendrian, Alexandra (July 12, 2010). ["Get Briefed: William Clay Ford Jr"](https://www.forbes.com/2010/07/10/auto-microsoft-research-development-intelligent-investing-ford.html). *Forbes*. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-money.cnn.com_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-money.cnn.com_2-1) ["Ford names new CEO"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060924142706/http://money.cnn.com/2006/09/05/news/companies/ford/index.htm). *CNN*. September 5, 2006. Archived from [the original](https://money.cnn.com/2006/09/05/news/companies/ford/index.htm) on September 24, 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-William_Clay_Ford_jr_–_Biography_3-0)** ["William Clay Ford jr – Biography"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120510235135/http://www.detroitlions.com/team/staff/william-clay-ford-jr/b0672150-f6ba-446e-9f4b-07e0fbb37094). *Detroit Lions*. Archived from [the original](http://www.detroitlions.com/team/staff/william-clay-ford-jr/b0672150-f6ba-446e-9f4b-07e0fbb37094) on May 10, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Binational Board of Directors | United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce"](http://usmcoc.org/about-us/binational-board-of-directors/). *usmcoc.org*. Retrieved September 21, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AlumniAchievements_5-0)** ["Alumni Award: Previous Recipients"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150310133421/http://www.hotchkiss.org/alumni/Accomplishments.aspx). The Hotchkiss School. 2004. Archived from [the original](http://www.hotchkiss.org/alumni/Accomplishments.aspx) on March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Ford, Jr (1979). ["Henry Ford and Labor: A Reappraisal"](http://dataspace.princeton.edu/jspui/handle/88435/dsp01hx11xg38v). {{[cite journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_journal)}}: Cite journal requires |journal= ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#missing_periodical))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["The MIT 150: 150 Ideas, Inventions, and Innovators that Helped Shape Our World"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110519002514/http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/specials/mit150/mitlist/?page=full). [The Boston Globe](/source/The_Boston_Globe). May 15, 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/specials/mit150/mitlist/?page=full) on May 19, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["CEO Compensation"](https://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/12/Rank_11.html) – 251-275 on Forbes.com's top-earning CEO's list. URL accessed September 6, 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["William Clay Ford Jr, CEO Compensation – Forbes.com"](https://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/12/X5J3.html). *forbes.com*. Retrieved June 20, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Bradsher, Keith (July 28, 2000). ["Ford Says Research Inspired New Push for Fuel Economy"](https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/28/business/ford-says-research-inspired-new-push-for-fuel-economy.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved August 8, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Ford presskit display vehicle](http://media.ford.com/products/presskit_display.cfm?vehicle_id=1438&press_subsection_id=421&make_id=92) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081015031224/http://media.ford.com/products/presskit_display.cfm?vehicle_id=1438&press_subsection_id=421&make_id=92) October 15, 2008, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). *media.ford.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Innovation technology ethanol Capable Vehicles](http://www.ford.com/en/innovation/technology/ethanolCapableVehicles/default.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060715134340/http://www.ford.com/en/innovation/technology/ethanolCapableVehicles/default.htm) July 15, 2006, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). *ford.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Slavin, Terry (November 12, 2000). ["The Motown missionary"](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/nov/12/theobserver.observerbusiness7). *[The Observer](/source/The_Observer)*. London. Retrieved April 1, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Media.Ford.com: FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPORTS 2005 NET INCOME OF $2 BILLION, PROFITABLE FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060614061604/http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=22357). Archived from [the original](http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=22357) on June 14, 2006. Retrieved June 28, 2006.. *media.ford.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** White, Joseph B. (March 3, 2011). ["Bill Ford Warns of 'Global Gridlock' (Video)"](https://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2011/03/03/bill-ford-warns-of-%E2%80%9Cglobal-gridlock%E2%80%9D/). *The Wall Street Journal*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Today in Tech"](http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/06/28/bill-ford-venture-capitalist/). *CNN*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Sherrill, Martha (November 26, 2000). ["The Buddha of Detroit"](https://partners.nytimes.com/library/magazine/home/20001126mag-ford.html). *The New York Times Magazine*. Retrieved September 24, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Hancock, Edith (November 1, 2016). ["17 powerful people you didn't know were vegan"](http://www.businessinsider.com/powerful-people-you-didnt-know-were-vegan-2016-11/). *Business Insider*. Retrieved September 24, 2017.

## External links

- [Fontinalis Partners Biography](https://web.archive.org/web/20110805072303/http://www.fontinalispartners.com/team-bill-ford.php)

- [William Ford Jr.'s campaign contributions](https://web.archive.org/web/20060131005930/http://www.newsmeat.com/ceo_political_donations/William_Ford_Jr.php)

- [Bill Ford's *The Way Forward* speech – 23 Jan 2006](https://web.archive.org/web/20060503164430/http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=22465)

- [The Fords go into Reverse – by John Lippert and Bill Koenig](http://www.smh.com.au/news/business/the-fords-go-into-reverse/2007/01/26/1169788690578.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1) A lengthy *[Bloomberg](/source/Bloomberg_L.P.)* article (2007) profiling Bill Ford and the 81-member family.

- [Bill Ford](https://www.ted.com/speakers/bill_ford) at [TED](/source/TED_(conference))

- [Appearances](https://www.c-span.org/person/?1012421) on [C-SPAN](/source/C-SPAN)

Business positions Preceded by Alexander Trotman Chairman of the Ford Motor Company 1999–present Incumbent Preceded by Jacques Nasser CEO of the Ford Motor Company 2001–2006 Succeeded by Alan Mulally

v t e Henry Ford Life and history Ford Motor Company history Ford Model T The Dearborn Independent Residences Fair Lane Edison and Ford Winter Estates Family Clara Bryant Ford (wife) Edsel Ford (son) Henry Ford II (grandson) Josephine Clay Ford (granddaughter) William Clay Ford Sr. (grandson) Edsel Ford II (great-grandson) Alfred Ford (great-grandson) Sheila Ford Hamp (great-granddaughter) William Clay Ford Jr. (great-grandson) Elena Ford (great-granddaughter) Calvin Ford (great-great-grandson) Other Fordism Car Entrepreneur of the Century The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village Commons Wikibooks Wikiquote Wikisource

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [William Clay Ford Jr.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Clay_Ford_Jr.) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Clay_Ford_Jr.?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.