Ted was appointed CEO, Ford Pro, and a corporate officer effective June 1, 2021. In this role, Cannis leads a global team that is redefining customer value through the auto industry’s first standalone commercial-vehicles services and distribution business inside Ford – a key part of Ford+, the Blue Oval’s plan for growth. Ford Pro leverages technology to deliver a revolutionary range of electric and gas commercial vans, trucks and connected services, helping business and government customers improve productivity lower their total cost of vehicle ownership.
Previously, Cannis was general manager, Commercial Vehicles, where he unified dedicated resources needed to drive the commercial vehicle business forward by delivering customer solutions and optimizing operations, including through improved alignment with partners. From October 2017 to May 2020, Cannis was global director, Battery Electric Vehicles, leading strategy and business execution for Team Edison, Ford’s dedicated team for battery electric vehicles that developed the groundbreaking Mustang Mach-E SUV.
Cannis began his career at Ford in 1989 as a profit analyst at the company’s headquarters in Dearborn, Mich. He worked 11 years in Finance, including assignments in Brazil and the United States. For two years, he was finance director, Ford Andina, in Venezuela, before becoming president, Ford Argentina. Cannis has also been executive director, Investor Relations; CEO of the Ford Sollers joint venture in Russia; deputy general manager, Ford Otosan, a JV with Koc Group in Turkey; and in various executive positions in Marketing.
Cannis is a graduate of Indiana University with a master’s degree in Business Finance and holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Michigan.