Catherwood LibraryILR School

William Clay Ford Jr., great-grandson of Henry Ford and the first member of the family to assume direct leadership of the Ford Motor Company since Henry Ford II, announced yesterday that he would be taking over as CEO from Jacques Nasser amidst the cheers and applause of employees. Despite the likelihood that Ford and his new COO will engage in plant closings and massive layoffs early next year, workers and their union representatives are confident in their new CEO's concern for employees---pointing to his actions following the 1999 explosion at the Rouge facility as evidence. The removal of former CEO Jacques Nasser as been attributed in large part to his poor relations with employees, stemming from a lack of respect and trust caused by Nasser's poor business decisions and failure to consult with union officials before making these decisions.