Aaron Brzozowski
Ford Motor Company announced yesterday several impending changes to its lineup of senior leadership staff, including the departure of Ford Motor Company VP and General Counsel David Leitch, the departure of Ford Europe VP of Manufacturing Jeff Wood, and the reassignment of Ford Asia Pacific VP of Manufacturing to a different leadership role here in the US.
Ford Motor Company Vice President and General Counsel David Leitch, 55, has been with the automaker for more than 10 years. He has elected to retire, soon to be replaced by 52 year-old Bradley Gayton, who currently serves as Corporate Secretary and Assistant General Counsel.
Ford Europe Vice President of Manufacturing Jeff Wood has been with Ford Motor Company even longer – some 30 years. He, too, has elected to retire at the age of 55, and will be succeeded by Linda Cash, 53. Currently, Ms. Cash serves as Ford Europe Director of Vehicle Operations.
Finally, 51 year-old Gary Johnson, currently Ford Asia Pacific‘s Vice President of Manufacturing, is returning to the United States to take a new position related to Global Manufacturing Planning. He is set to be replaced by Bill Russo, 61, who presently serves as Ford Motor Company Director of Global Powertrain Manufacturing Engineering. Simultaneously, 48 year-old Peter Fleet, currently Ford Europe’s Vice President of Sales, will be reassigned to VP of Marketing, Sales and Service with Ford Asia Pacific. His replacement will be announced later.
