Ford Reports Leadership Changes; Names Steven Armstrong COO, Ford Of Europe

(RTTNews) - Ford Motor Company (F) announced Barb Samardzich, vice president and chief operating officer, Ford of Europe, has elected to retire Oct. 1. Succeeding Samardzich will be Steven Armstrong, who is named vice president and chief operating officer, Ford of Europe, effective Sept. 1. Armstrong currently is president, Ford South America.

Succeeding Armstrong is Lyle Watters, who is named vice president, Ford Motor Company and president, Ford South America, effective Aug. 1. Watters will be responsible for leading all Ford operations in South America. Watters has been chief financial officer and vice president, Finance & Strategic Planning, Ford of Europe.

The company said Neil Schloss, Ford vice president and treasurer, will add the role of chief financial officer, Ford Smart Mobility LLC. In this role, effective Aug. 1, Schloss will have full responsibility for the financial operations of Ford Smart Mobility LLC. Schloss has served as treasurer since March 2007.