Ford creates top role for ex-presidential candidate Jon Huntsman with $1M salary

The top two executives at Ford Motor Co. decided they wanted to add more muscle to their team to navigate the industry’s dynamic landscape that’s facing new challenges every day, so they created a “vice chair of policy” role for Jon Huntsman Jr.

He will get paid a $1 million base salary plus $3 million in stock to advise CEO Jim Farley and Executive Chairman Bill Ford on strategic policy matters, according to Ford regulatory filings. 

Farley and Ford recommended the hire to the board, said company spokesman T.R. Reid, and it was approved by the board of directors on Wednesday.

Huntsman, 61, begins his new role on May 3. He makes his home in Utah and will travel as needed, Reid said. Many executives are working remotely.

This allows for Huntsman to be on speed dial 24/7 and represent the company full-time. He will maintain his role on the board, too, subject to reelection during the annual meeting May 13.

“A director job is demanding, but this provides Jim and Bill even greater access to Mr. Huntsman’s experience and insight,” Reid said. “The things he’s going to be involved with are all strategically critical to Ford and its transformation.”

In this new role, he’ll work closely with Mitch Bainwol, chief government relations officer for Ford, and his team in Washington, as well as Ford’s general counsel and sustainability team, among others, Reid said. Huntsman will represent Ford with certain government officials and influencers in the U.S. and other countries. 

“Policy touches a whole variety of things that are really transformational in the industry,” Reid said. “Sustainability overlaps with electric vehicles and other potential forms of zero emission priorities, along with supply chain and trade.”

The company was not able to confirm to the Free Press whether Huntsman would register as a lobbyist, which is required by law to discuss policy issues in depth.

Automakers have talked with the Biden Administration about infrastructure support, to transition the country to electric vehicles and get help restoring the supply of semiconductors. Issues also include tariffs and access to battery supplies.

Huntsman, a former GOP presidential candidate, was first elected to be a Ford director in 2012. He stepped off the board in September 2017 to become a senior diplomat to Russia for two years under President Donald Trump. Huntsman had served as U.S. ambassador to China from 2009-11 under then-President Barack Obama, and previously as ambassador to Singapore under presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. 

Huntsman was widely praised by industry observers when he returned to the board of directors in October as having alliances on both sides of the aisle.

“In a time of global competitiveness, with a clear need for cultural understanding and positive international relations, it is a good choice to have someone with such experience,” said Melissa Bradley, a business professor at Georgetown University, in October. “Mr. Huntsman’s skills for global policy, diplomacy and cultural competency will be a competitive advantage for Ford.”

Huntsman brings knowledge, familiarity and passion to not just trade between markets but opportunities within strategically important markets, including but not limited to China, Reid said. “It’s these combination of things that makes him exceptional. His cumulative background is pretty exceptional. It can deepen relationships and, in some cases, open doors.”

China is a huge consumer market for the auto industry.

Ford said in its federal filing that Huntsman remains “critical” as a board member because he provides perspective that reflects his “vast government experience, as a governor (formerly, of Utah), ambassador and trade representative; his public company experience, as a board member and senior executive; and his knowledge” of the automaker. 

The hiring decision changes his role from a paid independent director to an unpaid director who works for the company. He earned $96,760 for his Ford director role in 2020, according to company documents.

In the new role, Huntsman ranks among the highest paid in the company, based on the 2021 federal filings that list 2020 base salaries for top executives:

• Farley at $1.7 million 
• Hau Thai-Tang, chief product platform and operations manager, at $1.2 million
• Kumar Galhotra, president of the Americas, international markets, at $1 million
•  John Lawler, chief financial officer, at $1 million

“I won’t speculate on what might be reported in next year’s proxy,” Reid said. “About executive compensation generally, base pay is designed to be competitive, with additional rewards tied to performance in areas intended to create long-term value and sustainability of the business.”

With the announcement, Farley said, “Global policy is hugely important to transforming Ford and unlocking great value for customers and all stakeholders. Jon’s background, insights and achievements are unrivaled.”

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Huntsman is also a member of the Chevron board of directors. He was paid $185,824 in compensation in 2020 by Chevron, which he rejoined in September. 

Alexandra and Henry

Huntsman won’t be the only Ford employee to join Farley on the board. Alexandra Ford English and Henry Ford III have been recommended for approval at the annual meeting.

Alexandra Ford English is the daughter of Bill Ford and Henry Ford III is the son of retiring director Edsel B. Ford II. Bill and Edsel Ford are first cousins.