Ford labor VP retiring as UAW talks loom

DETROIT — Ford Motor Co.’s chief labor officer will retire later this year ahead of contract negotiations with the UAW.

Ford Blue’s vice president of manufacturing and labor for the Americas, John Savona, will step down in March, the company announced Wednesday. He was succeeded by Bryce Currie, who was Chief Manufacturing Officer at supplier Johnson Controls.

Curry will join Ford on Jan. 30 to ensure a “smooth transition” between the two leaders, the company said in a statement. Like Savona, he will report to Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford Blue.

Currie will oversee a team of about 70,000 employees at more than 30 facilities, Ford said. Prior to his three years at Johnson Controls, Currie worked in manufacturing for 6 years at GE Aviation and 14 years at TRW Automotive (now part of the ZF Group). .

Curry said in Ford’s statement, “I think it’s going to be part of creating something new and exciting rather than returning to the auto industry.” It’s very compelling to me, helping to define and bring to life a future made possible by.”

Savona has overseen Ford’s North American manufacturing footprint since 2021 and previously served as Director of Global Manufacturing Quality. His career at Ford spanned his 33 years, beginning as a security officer at a Michigan assembly plant, and later holding regional and global roles.

“John’s career arc at Ford is like a story, but it’s a real and important one,” Galhotra said. His ability to connect with people on a meaningful level has helped him through the extraordinary challenges of the last few years.”

car news Savona has been named a Distinguished Veteran of the Year for 2021. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and spent three years in Germany before being hired by Ford in 1989.

“I never dreamed where these 33+ years would take me professionally and personally,” Savona said in a statement. , especially to grow and learn with the dedicated people who keep our factory running every day.”