Homer Neal will be leaving the Ford board after 18 years as of Dec. 31, and will be replaced by William Kennard, according to a company news release.
Kennard is an experienced politician, having formerly served as the head of the FCC, and as the U.S. ambassador to the European Union.
While Neal is leaving his post before his term ends in May, his departure from the board was not unexpected, as he has reached Ford’s mandatory retirement age.