Ford Media Center

Robert L. Shanks

Bob Shanks is Ford Motor Company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, a position he has held since April 1, 2012 and which he will retain until June 1, 2019. Shanks has overall responsibility for the company’s financial operations, including the Controller’s Office, Treasury and Investor Relations. He has announced his intention to retire at the end of 2019.

In his previous role, Shanks served as Ford Motor Company’s vice president and controller.

Shanks has a wealth of global experience in business strategy and corporate planning. He was appointed a corporate officer of Ford Motor Company in July 2004, when he was elected to the position of vice president, Operations Support, Finance and Strategy, Ford of Europe and Premier Automotive Group (PAG). In that position, he primarily was responsible for driving financial methodology, processes, best practices and synergies between the two entities.

Prior to that assignment, Shanks served as chief financial officer for PAG, as well as for Mazda Motor Corporation. In addition to other finance positions within Mazda, North America and South America, he also led the finance function in Taiwan’s Ford Lio Ho Motor Company and business development activities in Ford’s Asia-Pacific operations.

Born in 1953, Shanks earned a bachelor’s degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1975 and a master’s degree in international management from the American Graduate School of International Management in 1976. He joined Ford Motor Company in 1977.