Donald Petersen
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Donald E. Petersen (born 1926) is an American businessman, who worked at the Ford Motor Company for forty years, and served as its Chief Executive Officer from 1985 to 1989.
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| Preceded by Philip Caldwell |
Chief Executive Officer of the Ford Motor Company 1985 — 1989 |
Succeeded by Alexander Trotman |
Donald E. Petersen became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor Company on February 1, 1985. Prior to his election as Chairman, Mr. Petersen has been President and Chief Operation Officer since March 13, 1980. He was a member of the Board of Directors from September 8, 1977 until his retirement in February 1990.
Born in Pipestone, Minnesota on September 4, 1926, Mr. Petersen joined Ford in 1949 after receiving a master’s degree in Business Administration from Stanford University. He received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington in 1946. Mr. Petersen served in the U.S. Marine Corp in World War II and the Korean War.
Hailed a "Most Valuable Person" of 1988 by USA Today and "CEO of the Year" by Chief Executive magazine in 1989, Petersen transformed Ford with his inclusive, team-oriented management style. For the past six years, he has shared his considerable mamagement expertise with another enduring institution: the University of Washington College of Arts and Sciences. Petersen has served as chair of College's advisory board since 1999.
