Ford to promote Anne Stevens to COO

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. This article says, Anne Stevens, group vice president, Canada, Mexico and South America, is elected executive vice president, Ford Motor Company, and chief operating officer, The Americas. She will report to Mark Fields. Stevens, 56, will lead the Company’s core operations in The Americas, including Product Development, Manufacturing and Purchasing. Stevens’ new role also makes her the first female executive vice president in company history.

“Anne is an exceptionally focused and proven leader in this industry," Fields said. “Her leadership of Vehicle Operations resulted in a significant quality improvement. She has also overseen profit resurgence in South America and Mexico and increased market share in Canada. We expect her to drive our operations toward greater coordination, efficiency, productivity and results."

10/13/05 Champ Car friendly Anne Stevens of Ford is expected to be promoted to Chief Operating Officer of the Americas today or Friday. Already the highest ranking woman at Ford, Stevens is currently Ford's VP of Canada, Mexico and South America.