Ford Motor Co. has appointed Alicia Boler Davis as president of its commercial business unit Ford Pro, effective October 1, the company announced in a press release.
Davis, who was recently CEO of the online pharmacy Alto Pharmacy, has also held leadership roles at Amazon and spent 25 years at General Motors.
Jim Farley, Ford’s president and CEO, said in a July 30 statement that Davis’s skill set and experience make her the ideal candidate to lead Ford Pro.
“She combines deep automotive and technology knowledge with an entrepreneurial and customer-focused approach,” Farley said. “Importantly, she builds high-performing teams and fosters a culture of innovation, speed, and smart risk-taking.”
Davis has over three decades of experience in the automotive industry, technology, and customer service. According to the press release, she helped Alto grow revenue to over $1 billion before its acquisition in March. As a senior vice president at Amazon, she managed the global order fulfillment network during the COVID-19 pandemic, advancing robotics and technologies that enabled worldwide deliveries.
At GM, Davis started as a manufacturing engineer and rose through leadership roles in manufacturing, quality, and customer experience. Her last role at GM was executive vice president of global manufacturing and labor relations, overseeing 22 vehicle launches and managing 150 facilities in 20 countries.
Davis, a Detroit native whose father and grandfather previously worked at Ford, said her diverse career background led her to the new role.
“If I were to create a role in the automotive industry that best leveraged my experience in both automotive and technology, it would be leading Ford Pro at this critical time,” she said.
According to the latest annual report, Ford Pro, operating in North America and Europe, primarily sells Ford and Lincoln vehicles as well as parts and accessories for commercial, government, and rental customers.
Davis will replace Andrew Frick, who has been interim head of Ford Pro since last fall, and will continue to lead the Ford Blue and Ford Model e units.