Bennie Fowler is group vice president, Global Quality, Ford Motor Company, effective April 1, 2008. He had been vice president, Global Quality, since April 1, 2006.

Fowler has responsibility for driving quality processes and discipline throughout the design and production of Ford vehicles. He is also responsible for new model launches in North America and ensuring alignment with Product Development.

He reports to Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company.

Previously, Fowler had been vice president, Advanced and Manufacturing Engineering. Prior to this assignment, he was chief operating officer, Jaguar and Land Rover, since February 2003.

In that role, Fowler had operational responsibility for manufacturing, purchasing, quality and product development for Jaguar and Land Rover. He was located in Great Britain.

Fowler had been executive director, North America Product Development, since June 2002. He joined Ford as a superintendent at St. Thomas Assembly Plant in 1990 from Chrysler Corp., where he held various manufacturing management assignments. From 1978 through 1986, he worked for General Motors Corp.

During his career at Ford, Fowler has held leadership positions at product development and manufacturing, including vehicle line director of Super Duty F-Series Product and plant manager of Wayne Stamping and Assembly. He was instrumental in launching the company’s lean manufacturing initiatives.

He is the founder of Powerstroke Athletic Club, an after-school youth organization based in Southfield, Mich. He continues to be involved in the club’s day-to-day operations.

Fowler, a native of Augusta, Ga., holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, and an MBA in operations management from Indiana University.