SPMB Recruits Chief AI and Data Officer for Ford Motor Company
September 8, 2026 – SPMB Executive Search has placed Mano Mannoochahr as chief AI and data officer of Ford Motor Company. Managing partner Mike Doonan led the assignment. “Few leaders bring Mano’s combination of modern AI expertise, experience operating at enormous enterprise scale, and deep industrial grounding,” Mr. Doonan said. That made him uniquely suited to help Ford translate the potential of AI into impact across a complex global business.”
“This was not simply an AI and data search,” Mr. Doonan said. “Ford needed someone who had led at enormous scale and understood how technology and AI get applied inside a complex industrial business. Mano brings a rare combination of both. Few leaders bring that combination of modern AI experience, enterprise scale, and industrial grounding. It was a pleasure, as always, partnering with Ford’s enterprise technology and executive search teams on the search. I’m also proud of the SPMB team that helped bring it together. Congratulations, Mano. I’m excited to see what you build at Ford.”
Previously, Mr. Mannoochahr served as chief data, analytics and AI officer at Verizon, where he led AI and data strategy across one of the country’s largest and most complex enterprises. Earlier in his career, he spent more than 20 years at companies including John Deere and GE, giving him a deep understanding of manufacturing and industrial tech.
In his new role at Ford, Mr. Mannoochahr will be tasked with directing AI, data architecture, and advanced analytics across the entire organization, scaling secure and high-value AI applications across manufacturing, supply chain management, and customer experience – partnering with all of The Blue Oval’s business segments.
“Joining an iconic American enterprise like Ford feels like a meaningful homecoming,” Mr. Mannoochahr said. “Having spent 20+ years early in my career at companies like John Deere and GE, returning to the heart of American manufacturing to help power the future of mobility, is a deeply rewarding full-circle moment. Ford’s legacy of innovation is legendary, but what excites me most is the company’s clear vision for the future.”
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive company headquartered in Dearborn, MI, that designs, manufactures, markets, and services vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, commercial vehicles, and electric vehicles. Founded in 1903 by Henry Ford and a group of investors, the company operates through businesses including Ford Blue, Ford Model e, Ford Pro, and Ford Credit.
For over 40 years, SPMB Executive Search has worked alongside its clients to build executive teams that ensure venture capital and private equity-backed game-changers achieve scale, and position multi-billion-dollar public companies to unlock innovation. Specializing in technology and innovation, SPMB recruits upper management and board members to growth-oriented companies in tech, consumer, and sustainability industries. SPMB has also placed dozens of senior executives at the portfolio companies of leading private equity firm partners including Blackstone, KKR, and TPG.
Related: SPMB Recruits CFO for AbsenceSoft
Mr. Doonan leads SPMB’s digital transformation and data practices and has executed over 400 C-level and VP searches across all market verticals. He enables innovative pure-play technology companies such as Google/Cloud and Amazon/AWS to achieve scale by recruiting senior leaders that have been through large, complex growth scenarios. Mr. Doonan also works closely with large incumbents such as Disney, AT&T, Comcast, Capital One, and Under Armour to evolve their technology, IT, product, data, security, and digital capabilities.
AstraZeneca Search
SPMB also recently placed Chris Taylor as chief information officer of AstraZeneca. “Some searches carry a different kind of weight,” Mr. Doonan said in a LinkedIn post. “Helping place technology leaders advancing cancer care is one of them. We’re grateful to have supported the senior management team of AstraZeneca in the recruitment of chief information officer, Chris Taylor.”
“This was not a typical CIO search,” Mr. Doonan continued. “It focused on how AI, data, and digital capabilities can accelerate scientific discovery and real patient outcomes. That responsibility changes the conversation. It raises the bar. And it reinforces why the CIO role is evolving so quickly – from operating the engine room to driving breakthrough innovation at the core of the business.”
Mr. Taylor is focused on driving business value from digital transformation with a track record of creating top line and bottom line value. He has 25 years of experience across multiple industries (aviation, manufacturing, telecoms, consulting) in Europe, Middle East and Australia as an IT service provider as well as client organizations, in top tier multinationals as well as regional businesses. Mr. Taylor previously served as chief digital and information officer at Stellantis, where he leads the company’s digital strategy and transformation efforts.
Related: SPMB Recruits Chief Customer Officer for Rivian
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
