Russell Ford

Business leader, Engineer, Parent, Policy maker, Technologist, World traveler

Russell Ford is currently the President and CEO for ClearEdge Power, the world’s leading manufacturer of micro CHP fuel cells, which serve the small commercial, institutional and residential market segments. Russ joined ClearEdge Power in May of 2009. Prior to his current position, Russ was the President and CEO of the Prestolite Electric Company, a global tier one supplier of heavy duty rotating electrical systems for the bus, on-road truck and military transportation markets. Under his leadership, Prestolite Electric achieved global top line revenue growth exceeding 14% CAGR as well as annual profitability improvements exceeding 21%, through the application of lean methods and a systematic introduction of a management culture based on innovation and change. Prior to joining Prestolite, Russ was the Chief Operating Officer for the Holley Group of Companies, where he led the successful turnaround of this 100 year old marquee business in the Automotive Racing & Aftermarket industry segments. Under his leadership, Holley achieved industry and customer recognized best in class product quality, delivery and financial performance ranking in the top quartile for manufacturing businesses. Russ was formerly the Vice President of Operations for Lockheed Martin Corporation, where his responsibilities included overall leadership for 9 aircraft programs across 7 sites with an 18,000 person manufacturing organization. Under his leadership, Lockheed Martin became the first aircraft company in the world to win the Shingo Prize for Operating Excellence in 2000 and was recognized by “Industry Week” magazine as one of America’s 10 best operations on its way to winning the largest military contract in history – the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in 2001. A certified Six Sigma Blackbelt and Lean Methods expert, Russ was the Vice President and General Manager for the Industrial & Marine Engines division of AlliedSignal Inc. Starting this new strategic business unit, Russ led the concept, development, growth and ultimate acquisition of this business by Daimler’s MTU Engine division. Also while at AlliedSignal, Russ was the Plant Manager for the Commercial Avionics business in headquartered in Kansas. In this role, he was instrumental in directing plant restructuring efforts which resulted in a 300% improvement in production output with 90% greater product quality and ultimately earning the title of AlliedSignal’s Top Manufacturing Facility in 1996. Prior to AlliedSignal, Russ led the manufacturing organization for AT&T’s Microelectronics business, which was the first American company to win the international Deming Prize for quality in 1994. Russ began his professional career with Bell Helicopter Textron in 1984 and served as the senior flight controls design engineer for the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor program. As a result of his design work, Russ holds three patents. Educationally, Russ holds an M.B.A. degree from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Georgia Institute of Technology.