Former Ford Chairman, Red Poling dies at 86

[MummyChunk]

> From AB
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> The Ford Motor Company and the automotive industry as a whole are
mourning the loss today of Harold "Red" Poling, who passed
away on May 12 in Pacific Grove, California, at the age of 86.
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> A Michigan native, Poling was a navy veteran and a graduate of
Monmouth College and Indiana University, where he received his MBA. He
started working for Ford as an intern at the Rouge steel mill way back
in 1950, rising up the corporate ladder over the years as a financial
expert.
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> In March of 1980, after running Ford's North American and European
operations, Poling was named president and CEO of the entire company,
and ten years later was elected its chairman.
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> An inductee to the Automotive Hall of Fame and an active member of
his community, Poling lead Ford through lean times and into
profitability, ushering an enormous quantity of vehicles into
production over his many years of leadership. Scroll down for an
official statement from his successor Bill Ford.
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> Statement Regarding the Death of Harold "Red" Poling
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> The following statement is attributable to Bill Ford, Executive
Chairman of Ford Motor Company
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> "Red Poling was an extraordinary leader who had a profound
impact on Ford Motor Company and everyone who worked with him. With a
list of accomplishments that span 43 years, including leading the
company through a remarkable turnaround during the 1980s and 1990s,
Red was respected by all for his leadership, his passion for being the
low-cost producer and his genuine affinity for people. Our thoughts
and prayers go out to his family."