Ford Media Center

John Felice Retiring After 30 Years; Ford Names Mark LaNeve to Lead U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service Team

  • John Felice is retiring as vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service, after
    30 years of service

  • Mark LaNeve, named vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service and elected a Ford Motor Company officer; former chief operating officer at Global Team Ford brings nearly three decades of automotive marketing and sales experience to Ford

Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] announced today changes in its senior leadership team as it continues to deliver and accelerate the company’s One Ford plan while driving for product excellence and innovation.

John Felice, vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service, has elected to retire after
30 years at Ford, effective Feb. 1, 2015. Succeeding Felice is Mark LaNeve, currently chief operating officer at Global Team Ford, the global advertising and marketing agency for Ford Motor Company.

LaNeve, 55, will report jointly to Joe Hinrichs, executive vice president and president of The Americas, and to Stephen Odell, executive vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service.

“John has had a long and successful career as a key leader serving us around the world for more than 30 years,” said Hinrichs. “Among his many contributions, John led the Ford brand revitalization in the U.S., resulting in an unprecedented improvement in customer favorability, and was a strong advocate for our dealers, ensuring their participation in our business planning process and further strengthening our relationship with them. We thank John for his many years of service and wish him all the best going forward.”

Felice joined Ford in April 1984. During his tenure, he served in a variety of management positions in the Marketing, Sales and Service organization in both the U.S. and Asia Pacific including leading U.S. Ford and Lincoln Sales, U.S. Ford and Lincoln Marketing, and Asia Pacific Marketing, Sales and Service. While in Asia, he also served as president of Ford Thailand.

In succeeding Felice, LaNeve will be responsible for all marketing, sales, service and dealer relations in the United States. He will be focused on continuing to grow the business by building the Ford brand with innovative new digital communications and transforming the retail experience for customers.

“We are excited to have Mark join our team as we introduce even more new products to our customers this year,” said Odell. “With nearly three decades of proven experience to draw upon, Mark brings the right skills to continue building the Ford brand while creating a stronger retail experience for our customers, making it even easier for them to interact with their dealer and with Ford – and helping us profitably grow.”

LaNeve comes to Ford after several years leading the company’s global advertising and marketing agency, Global Team Ford, where he was chief operating officer, since August 2012. In this role, LaNeve led not only Team Detroit, which serves the Ford brand in the U.S., but also the agency’s operations in London, São Paulo and Shanghai, as well as Hudson Rouge, the Lincoln agency in New York City.

LaNeve has nearly three decades of global sales and marketing experience in the automotive and insurance industries, having served in senior roles at Team Detroit, General Motors, Volvo Cars and Allstate Insurance. In these roles, he led the development and execution of innovative sales programs and the resurgence of the brands.

  • For biographical information and photos of John Felice, click here.

  • For biographical information and photos of Mark LaNeve, click here.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.  The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty.  Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services.  The company does that through three customer-centered business segments:  Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs.  Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.  Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide.  More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

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