Ford Motor Company, an automotive powerhouse ranked 19th on the Fortune 500 list, recently made headlines with its announcement of a significant CFO transition. The company revealed on Friday that Sherry House, previously serving as the CFO at Lucid Motors, will be joining Ford as the vice president of finance, effective June 3. House’s appointment marks a historic moment as she is set to become the first woman to hold the prestigious position of CFO at Ford Motor Company, a milestone that underscores the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in its leadership ranks.
Returning to her home state of Michigan, House brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise garnered from her tenure at Lucid Motors. During her time there, she played a pivotal role in navigating the company through its initial public offering, overseeing the commencement of production and delivery of luxury electric vehicles, and establishing manufacturing facilities in both the United States and Saudi Arabia. With House’s proven track record of success and strategic leadership, Ford’s CEO, John Farley, expressed confidence in her ability to drive the company’s ambitious goals of building a profitable electric vehicle business and enhancing its overall resilience and competitiveness in the rapidly evolving automotive landscape.
Prior to her role at Lucid Motors, House held key leadership positions at Waymo, a prominent player in autonomous driving technology, where she contributed to advancing the company’s strategic initiatives. Additionally, she has accumulated invaluable experience through her tenure at General Motors, where she held various senior leadership roles across product engineering, corporate strategy, accounting, and business planning. Armed with this diverse skill set and industry insight, House is poised to make a significant impact on Ford’s financial strategy and performance.
Meanwhile, the outgoing CFO, John Lawler, will transition to the role of vice chair at Ford, effective June 3. In his new capacity, Lawler will lead the company’s long-term strategic initiatives, leveraging his extensive experience and global perspective to drive growth and value creation. Lawler’s distinguished career at Ford spans over three decades, during which he has held several key leadership positions, including VP of strategy, business development, and global data and analytics, as well as president of Ford China. His strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping Ford’s strategic direction, including the Ford+ plan aimed at fostering innovation and driving sustainable growth.
Lawler’s transition to vice chair comes at a pivotal moment for the automotive industry, which is undergoing a profound transformation driven by technological advancements and the shift towards electrification. As Ford navigates through these transformative times, Lawler’s strategic insights and global perspective will be invaluable in positioning the company for success in the evolving automotive landscape.
Indeed, the automotive industry is at a crossroads, presenting both challenges and opportunities for companies like Ford. With House and Lawler assuming key leadership roles, Ford is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging trends, drive innovation, and deliver sustainable value to its stakeholders. As the industry continues to evolve, Ford remains committed to driving progress and shaping the future of mobility.