Big Change @ Ford Labor Relations and Human Resources

LABOR RELATIONS AT FORD NOW REPORTS TO GLOBAL MANUFACTURING, DOTTED LINE TO HUMAN RESOURCES - an intersting concept in a flat world


Chevron, Ford Appoint New HR Leaders

March 27, 2008

Ford Motor Co. promoted Felicia Fields to group vice president of Human Resources and Corporate Services on March 25, replacing a man who now is corporate vice president of Human Resources for Chevron Corp. in San Ramon, Calif. Fields, 42, joined Ford in 1986 as a Ford College Graduate and has since held a series of HR leadership positions, while Joe Laymon, 55, takes charge of Chevron's HR and medical functions worldwide in place of Alan R. Preston, who is retiring from Chevron after 35 years with the company.

“Felicia Fields is a world-class human resources professional and brings the experience, judgment, and technical excellence required to deliver results during this important and transformational time in Ford Motor Company’s history,” said Alan Mulally, Ford's president and CEO, to whom Fields reports. “She already had been providing valuable counsel to me and the entire leadership team in her role as vice president of Human Resources. I am confident her critical skills will allow us to further integrate and leverage our assets, taking working together as One Ford to the next level of performance. Joe Laymon has been an integral part of Ford Motor Company’s turnaround. Bill Ford and I are grateful to Joe for his commitment, integrity, and tireless service. His expertise and partnership will be greatly missed. We wish him the best going forward.”

Ford also said Marty Mulloy, vice president for Labor Affairs, now will report to Joe Hinrichs, group vice president for Global Manufacturing, while maintaining a functional tie to Fields. "By formally linking our global Manufacturing and global Labor Affairs organizations, we will be able to ensure the alignment of our manufacturing and labor strategies on a global basis," Mulally said.

Prior to joining Ford in 2000, Laymon worked for the United States Agency for International Development, with assignments in Zaire and Washington, D.C. He has worked for Xerox Corp. and Eastman Kodak Co. Chevron Vice Chairman Peter J. Robertson said Laymon's experience will be valuable for Chevron's worldwide operations in a highly competitive industry. "Joe's deep and proven expertise, especially in organizations with vast and far-reaching global workforces, will prove invaluable as we seek to attract and develop the critical talent we need to support our growing worldwide organization," Robertson said.