Ford appoints a new leader for its commercial business division

Alicia Boler Davis, a Detroit native with deep roots in the automotive industry, has been appointed as the president of Ford Pro, effective October 1. The announcement was made by Jim Farley, the president and CEO of Ford, on July 30.

Boler Davis' career journey has led her to this new role, having worked as a manufacturing engineer and rising through leadership roles in manufacturing, quality, and connected customer experience at General Motors. She also held executive roles with Amazon and played a crucial part in driving advancements in robotics and technology that kept goods moving globally during the pandemic.

Most recently, Boler Davis served as CEO of online pharmacy firm Alto Pharmacy, where she led the company to grow revenues to more than $1 billion before its acquisition in March. Prior to that, she spent 25 years at General Motors, where she succeeded as the EVP of global manufacturing and labor relations, overseeing 22 vehicle launches and managing 150 facilities in 20 countries.

Ford Pro operates in North America and Europe, and its primary focus includes the sale of Ford and Lincoln vehicles, parts, and accessories for commercial, government, and rental customers. According to its latest annual report, Ford Pro also offers a range of services such as fleet management, charging solutions, and digital tools to help customers manage their fleets more efficiently.

Jim Farley expressed confidence in Boler Davis' appointment, praising her skill set and experiences as the right fit to lead Ford Pro. He stated, "Alicia's deep automotive, technology, and customer experience background make her the ideal candidate to lead Ford Pro at this pivotal time."

Boler Davis takes over from Andrew Frick, who has served as interim leader since last fall, and succeeds Ted Cannis as the head of the Ford Pro division. Frick will continue to lead Ford Blue and Ford Model e after Boler Davis takes over.

Boler Davis expressed her excitement about leading Ford Pro, stating, "I am thrilled to join Ford Pro at this pivotal time, where I believe my experiences in both automotive and technology will best serve the company and its customers."

This appointment comes at a time when the automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with electric and autonomous vehicles becoming increasingly popular. Boler Davis' leadership is expected to drive Ford Pro forward in this new era.