DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Ford Motor Co., said Friday that founder Henry Ford's great, great granddaughter Elena Ford had been elected a vice president of the company.
Elena Ford, currently director of marketing operations, will oversee global standardization of best practices focusing on dealer and customer experiences with the company.
The Detroit Free Press reported Friday that the promotion raises the number of company executives to 38.
Ford's promotion is also noteworthy as she is the first female in the family to obtain such a high ranking in the company. She is also the first family member to become a corporate officer since Bill Ford became vice president of commercial trucks in 1994.
Bill Ford has since become the executive chairman, having relinquished many of his duties to Alan Mulally, when he was hired in 2006 to run the company.
Another family member, Edsel Ford, is on the board of directors. Family members as a group also have veto power over board decisions, given they own a controlling interest of company shares.
