ELAINE BANNON: IT’S PERSONAL FOR CHIEF NAMEPLATE ENGINEER WHEN IT COMES TO FORD EDGE

• Elaine Bannon has been chief nameplate engineer of the Ford Edge since the debut of the popular crossover as a 2007 model year vehicle
• Since joining Ford in 1984, Bannon has held a wide variety of roles in engineering, program management and design; she uses the expertise she acquired in these various positions to act as an advocate for the customer in her role as chief nameplate engineer
   

Elaine Bannon, chief nameplate engineer for the 2011 Ford Edge, is part quarterback, part symphony conductor, and she is completely committed to delivering the best crossover in the segment.

Just as a quarterback is expected to follow a game plan, a chief nameplate engineer is tasked with following a cycle plan – the major, moderate or minor improvements a given vehicle might undertake before its next reveal.

And like a quarterback, a chief nameplate engineer will sometimes change the play to help the team win.

“Certainly you follow the product plan, but if I see that something may not meet customer expectations, then I act decisively to refine the plan,” said Bannon. “As the chief nameplate engineer, I take the wants and needs of our customer very seriously. If I see a gap between our plans and the consumer’s needs, it’s my job to make sure it’s fixed.”

A chief nameplate engineer also has to orchestrate the many different teams that contribute to the development of a given vehicle.

“Each group, whether it’s body engineering or vehicle engineering, has a separate, distinct point of view. That’s their job,” said Bannon. “My role is to take all those points of view and optimize them for the customer by balancing the equation for everyone. That’s the only way to achieve world-class, segment-leading products.”

Building on a leadership position
With a compelling blend of design, capability, technology and performance, the Ford Edge practically defined the midsize crossover segment with its debut in 2006 as a 2007 model. The 2011 version is poised to extend that leadership even further with the addition of industry-first MyFord Touch™ driver connect technology.

“I think it’s vital that customers are able to bring their lifestyle – their music, their connectivity – into any vehicle, and with innovations like SYNC® and now with MyFord Touch, we’re making it even easier for customers to do that,” said Bannon.

“The 2011 Ford Edge offers flexibility in stowage that customers demand in a crossover, but what sets the 2011 Edge apart from the competition is that it also provides flexibility in how you receive your information. You have it all right at your fingertips in a package with awesome good looks, improved craftsmanship, better driving dynamics and better powertrain performance.”

Personal Insights and Fun Facts

• Bannon writes poetry in her spare time. “It’s something I do here and there when the mood strikes me to express myself,” she says
• She makes it a point to be active physically. “I do some circuit training – a combination of weights and cardio a couple of times a week. I like to jog as well. I try to fit in at least three workouts a week. I also have a road bike I like to use when weather permits,” she says
• Bannon holds two degrees from the University of Michigan – a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and an MBA
• Her uncle and brother influenced Bannon to go into the automotive field. “They were both engineers and always seemed to have some sort of automotive restoration project going, so I was heavily exposed to all that growing up. I never considered any other field,” she says
• Bannon is a fan of the “Mad Max” movies. “In their own way, I think they really tap in to what we’re doing – that performance and thrill when you push down on the accelerator,” she says

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 198,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

Feb. 10, 2010