The great-great grandchildren of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Co., won seats on the company’s influential board of directors.
Henry Ford III and Alexandra Ford English had been nominated by the company at ages 40 and 33 to stand for election to the board at its virtual annual shareholder meeting on Thursday, the company announced on March 12.
English, the daughter of Bill Ford, executive chairman of the company, is the first female member of the Ford family to serve on the board. She joined Ford in 2017 and works as director of corporate strategy and is responsible for enterprise, connectivity and digital network strategic plans, the company said.
Henry Ford III, who is also known to family as “Sonny,” is the son of Edsel B. Ford II and an investor relations director at Ford. He joined the company in 2006 and worked in labor relations, purchasing, marketing and sales, and corporate strategy.
The company, which turns 118 years old in June, credited Henry Ford III in its news release for being part of the team that negotiated the landmark 2008 labor agreement with the UAW.
More:Bill Ford discusses what it means to add young Ford family to board
More:Bill Ford’s controversial viewpoint has changed Detroit automaker
“As an uncle, as a father and as executive chairman, I’m really proud,” Bill Ford told the Free Press in March. “I think both Alexandra and Henry are exceptionally talented. They both have shown they care deeply about the company.”
The board, which includes directors from inside and outside the company, is elected to represent shareholder interests, make decisions ranging from when to make dividend payouts to hiring or firing a CEO and establishing executive compensation.
Having younger voices in the boardroom is as important as ever, as the industry goes through its latest transformation, he said. Industry analysts have said the changes are revolutionary.
“Very few companies have had family involvement for 118 years,” Bill Ford said. “I think that creates a culture and a sense of humanity that is timeless.”
The younger Fords replace two seasoned board members.
Edsel B. Ford II, great-grandson of company founder Henry Ford, retired from the board. He was elected on Jan. 18, 1988, at the age of 39, along with his cousin, Bill Ford, then 30.
Chemist John Lechleiter, the retired CEO of Eli Lilly and Co. pharmaceutical company who joined the Ford board in 2013, decided not to seek reelection. He retired in 2019 from the Nike board.
“Henry and Alexandra bring fresh backgrounds and perspectives to the board,” company spokesman T.R. Reid told the Free Press early Friday. “They will also extend the Ford family’s consistency of vision, values and care for the company. Ford employees and dealers have always valued and shareholders have supported that part of the company’s unique culture.”
Melissa Bradley, a business professor at Georgetown University, said Ford Motor Co. holds a special place in the hearts and minds of Americans.
“Ford is not just a household name but a long-standing brand affiliated with Henry Ford and his vision,” she said. “Having family members helps maintain his vision and provides checks and balances in fulfilling his entrepreneurial dream. The presence of family members, without having a majority of seats, is quite acceptable and often useful.”
More:Ford creates role for ex-presidential candidate Jon Huntsman with $1M salary
More:Michigan Central Station on track for 2022 finish: ‘This is a Phoenix rising’
Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-222-6512 orphoward@freepress.com.Follow her on Twitter@phoebesaid. Read more on Ford and sign up for our autos newsletter.