Mitch Bainwol, Ford’s chief government relations officer for nearly three years, is retiring from the company effective Dec. 31.
Bainwol, a corporate officer, joined Ford in the role in March 2019 after having served as president and chief executive officer for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers for eight years.
His career also spans roles as chief of staff for both U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Florida Sen. Connie Mack, as well as for the Republican National and National Republican Senatorial committees. From 2003 to ’11, Bainwol was chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America. He began his career as a budget analyst at U.S. Pres. Ronald Reagan’s Office of Management and Budget.
At Ford, Bainwol has directed engagements with government officials and agencies in 110 markets around the world where Ford does business.
“Partnering with governments is critical to constantly simplifying, advancing and accelerating what we do, so that we’re always giving customers and society the value they deserve,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley. “Mitch and his team have done a great job making those relationships possible and productive, putting Ford in the middle of important policy discussions.”
As examples, he said that Bainwol and Government Relations were pivotal in enabling a landmark framework with California and, in turn, 16 other U.S. states and the District of Columbia to reduce vehicle emissions and encourage a single nationwide standard; defined and executed the political process behind Ford’s October 2021 selection of U.S. sites for a new F-Series electric truck and three BlueOval SK joint-venture battery plants; and helped the company effectively negotiate public health, commercial and operating challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Farley said that Steven Croley, who oversees Ford’s legal, government relations, sustainability, environment and safety-engineering functions as chief policy officer and general counsel, will directly guide the Government Relations team on an interim basis following Bainwol’s departure and until his successor is announced.
