How To Launch—And Scale—A Business
May 19, 2025
James Hackett, President and CEO, Ford Motor Company, No. 10 of the 1,000 Largest Public/Private CompaniesFord CEO James Hackett has only been in the hot seat since May, when Mark Fields stepped down. However, he is already making an impact. A veteran of the furniture industry, Hackett is known for a creative management approach to business. He also is recognized for his innovative design skills.
Currently, Hackett is keep the ship facing forward while also attempting to keep up with what is behind him by fostering a culture across the firm where people take care of their own. While any and all companies are making donations, Ford has gone one step further to offer to sell new cars to victims of the hurricanes at its employee discount rate.
While the Vice President of U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service, Mark LaNeve, is on the ground doing all the hard work restoring dealerships and replace vehicles destroyed by the hurricanes, that kind of caring mentality comes straight from the top.
Meanwhile, he still has an eye on innovation. For instance, the company is using virtual reality to advance how cars are designed and tested. The firm is also researching human-machine interaction, battery life, and is dedicated to getting more young girls involved in STEAM. (science, technology, engineering, art and math).
President and CEO (Since May 22, 2017), Ford
Previous Position: Chairman of Ford Smart Mobility
Company start date: March 2016
First Position at Company: Chairman of Ford Smart Mobility
Age: 62
Education: Bachelor’s degree in finance from University of Michigan
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.