Bill Ford

Bill is a lifelong futurist on urban mobility and the environment. As a founding partner of Fontinalis, his vision for Fontinalis is to make it a world-renowned partner of companies dynamically improving these two arenas.

Bill also serves as the Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company. Prior to joining the Board of Directors in 1988, he held positions in manufacturing, sales, marketing, product development and finance. In 1999, he became Chairman of the Board of Directors, and served as chief executive officer from 2001 – 2006. During his tenure as CEO he took the company from a $5.5 billion loss to three straight years of profitability. He also played a critical role in stewarding the company through the 2008-2009 economic crisis and to its resurgence as a market leader.

In 2000, under Bill’s leadership, Ford published its first corporate citizenship report outlining the economic, environmental and social impact of company products and operations around the world. In 2004, he led Ford Motor Company’s efforts to redevelop the Ford Rouge Center, the world’s largest brownfield reclamation project, and transformed it into a model of lean, flexible and environmentally-responsible manufacturing, saving millions of dollars in energy and other costs. Bill championed the Ford Escape Hybrid, the world’s first hybrid-electric sport utility vehicle, and has led efforts advance Ford’s investments in connected, electrified and autonomous vehicles. In 2018, he championed the acquisition of Michigan Central Station which will be the centerpiece of a new mobility innovation district in Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood.

Bill’s charitable, volunteer and business efforts are highlighted by his commitment to the city of Detroit. As Vice Chairman of the Detroit Lions football team, he led efforts to build a new, environmentally friendly stadium in Detroit – Ford Field. He is a member of various non-profit and for-profit boards including Business Leaders for Michigan and The Henry Ford, a national landmark and American history museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

Bill holds a Master of Science degree in Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University.