Ford Hires Chief Data and Analytics Officer

Auto giant Ford has hired data science and analytics specialist Paul Ballew for the newly created role of Chief Data and Analytics Officer, to oversee its focus on understanding consumer behavior and lead the company's data and analytic efforts globally. He will join on January 5th 2015.

Ford uses analytics widely, including in its research, product development, manufacturing, supply chain, marketing and sales, finance, purchasing, information technology and human resources functions. Last year, the firm was awarded the INFORMS Prize from the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences for its use data science and predictive analytics.

Ballew (pictured) will join from Dun and Bradstreet, where he currently serves as Global Chief Data, Insights and Analytics officer. Before D&B, he spent twenty years in business and the auto industry in various senior executive positions, researching and analyzing consumer behavior at the Federal Reserve, J.D. Power and Associates and General Motors.

In his new role, Ballew is tasked with establishing an enterprise-wide vision for analytics and integrating all of Ford's research, analytics, processes, standards, and tools. He will report to Bob Shanks, EVP and CFO, who comments: '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. He will turn what has been a secret weapon for us into a company-wide endeavor, driving growth in all parts of our business.'

Web site: www.corporate.ford.com .