JIM HACKETT

President and CEO, Ford Motor Co.

What he’s known for

During his 33 years at the office-furniture maker Steelcase—with an almost-20-year tenure as Ceo—hackett streamlined and modernized the company. When he became CEO in 1994, he inherited a company that had just reported a $70 million loss. He did it by embracing design—he acquired the pioneering Ideo agency—and tech. He also explored new business models such as designing furniture for the healthcare industry. He took Steelcase public and grew revenues to almost

$3 billion annually as well as profitability.

Latest move

In November, Hackett closed a deal for a joint venture with the Chinese automaker Anhui Zotye to manufacture and market all-electric vehicles under a new Chinese brand. Ford added that it would also use the joint venture to explore mobility services in the booming Chinese market.