DEARBORN – Ford Motor Company on Thursday named Charlie Holleran vice president and chief communications officer, reporting to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill Ford. Holleran will lead Public Affairs, which manages global communications internally and externally. His appointment is effective June 14.
“We’re delighted to add one of the world’s best communications leaders to our team,” Ford said. “Charlie brings impressive breadth and depth of experience to our top communications job. He has a terrific track record of devising short-term and long-term communications strategies, integrating messages across an organization, building a winning team, and developing talent.”
Holleran, 59, served most recently as head of Corporate Communications for Computer Associates International. He previously was senior vice president and chief communications officer for Coca-Cola Co.; managing director, Communications, for PricewaterhouseCoopers; vice president, Communications, for Digital Equipment Corporation; and vice president, Public Affairs, for Travelers Insurance. He also spent 20 years at IBM Corp. in marketing, advertising, public relations and event management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Scranton.
Jim Vella, formerly vice president, Public Affairs and chief of staff, will turn his attention entirely to his expanded role as vice president, chief of staff, reporting to Ford. Vella, 48, will assist Ford managing the daily business functions and external interests of the company. He will also act as the primary liaison between the Chairman’s Office and the senior leadership of the company as well as outside constituents. He will have oversight of Executive Operations, the Chairman’s Office, Air Transportation and Corporate Services.
Vella joined Ford in 1988 as a producer for the Ford Communications Network. He held a series of public affairs positions before being named vice president in 2001. A native of Detroit, he previously worked in television news in Detroit, San Diego, and Columbus.
