By Christina Rogers
DETROIT-- Ford Motor Co. said it hired investment banker and
longtime auto analyst John Casesa to lead its global strategy.
Mr. Casesa, 52 years old, who comes to Ford from investment firm
Guggenheim Partners, will report directly to Chief Executive Mark
Fields, effective March 1, as a group vice president, the company
said on Tuesday.
A well-respected adviser to the auto industry, Mr. Casesa had
previously served as a senior managing director at Guggenheim
Partners, where he led the firm's automotive investment banking
activities. Before that, he spent 20 years as an auto analyst at
Merrill Lynch & Co. and Schroders PLC.
The role is a new one for the Dearborn, Mich. auto maker as it
strives to further expand its business in China and bring about
greater cohesion throughout its global operations.
Mr. Casesa will rank as the most senior leader and corporate
officer overseeing global strategy and business development. He
will be tasked with helping to steer the company's investment into
new products, technologies and business models.
Corporate strategy had previously fallen under Chief Financial
Officer Bob Shanks but will move to Mr. Casesa, as part of a
broader realignment aimed at accelerating Ford's operating plans
and better tapping global opportunities, a company spokeswoman
said.
Write to Christina Rogers at christina.rogers@wsj.com
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