Awards & Recognition
★Appointed by Michigan Governor to chair the Michigan Community Service Commission
★Served on national boards including Smithsonian Institution and Salvation Army National Advisory Board
Notable Facts
→Served as President of Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services from 2006-2019
→Had 31-year career at Ford Motor Company starting as news producer in 1988
→Founded Vella Strategic Philanthropy Group after retirement
→Oversaw Ford Fund's global expansion to 60 countries
→Managed Ford Fund budget growth from $10 million to $55 million during his tenure
→Served on boards of over 20 organizations including United Way, Detroit Symphony Orchestra