James Farley, Jr. Biography and Net Worth

Jim Farley became president and chief executive officer of Ford in October 2020, and in March 2022 took on the additional role of president, Ford Model e. In addition, Farley is a member of the company’s board of directors.

As CEO, Farley is focused on deployment of the ambitious, customer-focused Ford+ plan for growth and value creation. Primary elements of the plan include innovation and delivery of breakthrough electric vehicles at scale, along with development of software and connected vehicle technologies and services for the Ford Model e business unit which Farley heads.

Before becoming CEO, Farley was Ford’s chief operating officer, responsible for strengthening the company’s global automotive operations, including Product Development, Purchasing, Enterprise Product Line Management, Manufacturing and Labor Affairs, Marketing, Sales and Service, and Quality and New Model Launch. He also oversaw mobility partnerships and Ford Autonomous Vehicles LLC.

Previously, Farley served as Ford’s president of New Businesses, Technology and Strategy, and earlier was Ford’s executive vice president and president of Global Markets. From 2015 to 2017, Farley served as executive vice president and president, Ford Europe, Middle East and Africa, guiding the company’s European business through transformation to achieve profitable growth through an unprecedented focus on new products, a strong brand and increased cost efficiency. In 2016, he led Ford’s European operations to record profitability and margins and increased sales.

Farley was also executive vice president of Global Marketing, Sales and Service, leading the company to connect more closely with customers through integrated global marketing, advertising, digital communications, brand development and research. He was instrumental in the ongoing reinvention of the Lincoln brand, setting it on a path for growth as a world-class provider of luxury vehicles and customer experience, including Lincoln’s introduction in China.

When he was appointed to head Global Marketing, Sales and Service in August 2010, it was the first time Ford had a single leader oversee those functions. He held operating responsibility as the senior global leader for Lincoln from December 2012 to August 2014.  Prior to that, Farley was group vice president, Global Marketing, and later added responsibility for Ford’s operations in Canada, Mexico and South America in September 2009.

Before joining Ford in November 2007, Farley was group vice president and general manager of Lexus, responsible for all sales, marketing and customer satisfaction activities for Toyota’s luxury brand. Earlier, Farley was the group vice president responsible for all Toyota Division market planning, advertising, merchandising, sales promotion, incentives and internet activities.

Farley joined Toyota in 1990 in the strategic planning department and served in several product and marketing positions in the United States and Europe. One of Farley’s most noted accomplishments was the successful launch and rollout of Toyota’s new Scion brand.

Farley represents Ford on the board of directors of the U.S. China Business Council is co-chair of the Future of Mobility Commission.  In May 2021, shareholders of Harley-Davidson Inc. elected Farley to a seat on the board of directors of the legendary motorcycle maker.

Farley attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics, and the University of California, Los Angeles, where he was graduated from the Anderson School of Management with a degree in management. He and his wife, Lia, have three children.