• ·Ford appoints data science and analytics expert Paul Ballew to help the company better understand consumer behavior and develop even better mobility, connectivity and autonomous driving innovations
• ·Ford investing more in data science and analytics as a key part of its Blueprint for Mobility and its One Ford plan for profitable growth

Ford today appoints data science and analytics expert Paul Ballew as executive director and chief data and analytics officer, further building its team of experts to help better understand consumer behavior and help speed development of the mobility, connectivity and autonomous driving innovations that will improve people’s lives.

Ford is accelerating its investment and research into data science and analytics as the foundation of its focus on innovation. The goal is to better anticipate customers’ wants and needs as Ford implements its Blueprint for Mobility and its One Ford plan for profitable growth.

“We are committed to making people’s lives better through innovations on mobility, connectivity, autonomous vehicles, performance and the customer experience,” said Ford President and CEO Mark Fields. “Taking big data and analytics to the next level inside Ford connects all of this work and is a key part of our drive for innovation in every part of our business.”

In the new role, Ballew will lead the company’s data and analytic efforts globally, establishing an enterprise-wide vision for analytics and integrating all of Ford’s research, analytics, processes, standards, tools and partner engagement. He will report to Bob Shanks, executive vice president and chief financial officer.  The appointment is effective Jan. 5, 2015.

Ballew most recently was global chief data, insights and analytics officer at Dun and Bradstreet. Previously, he spent 20 years in business and the auto industry in various senior executive positions researching and analyzing consumer behavior, including at the Federal Reserve, J.D. Power and General Motors. While at Nationwide Insurance, Ballew built the first analytics organization in financial services, transforming the way the company interacted with customers across the entire organization.

Ford already has an award-winning analytics team. Last year, Ford was awarded the prestigious INFORMS Prize from the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences for using data science and predictive analytics to improve overall operations and performance.

Ford uses analytics widely, including in its research, product development, manufacturing, supply chain, marketing and sales, finance, purchasing, information technology and human resources functions.

“Paul’s experience in unlocking consumer and business value from data is extremely impressive, and we are delighted to have him join the Ford team,” said Shanks. “He will turn what has been a secret weapon for us into a company-wide endeavor, driving growth in all parts of our business.”

For biographical information and photos of Paul Ballew, click here.