History of Jim Farley (businessman) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 23, 2026

James Duncan Farley Jr. is an American businessman and the current CEO of Ford Motor Company. He also serves on the board of Harley-Davidson. Farley's passion for the automotive industry stems from his grandfather's employment at Henry Ford's River Rouge Plant in 1918, inspiring his career path.

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Full Timeline

June 10, 1962: Birth of James Duncan Farley Jr.

On June 10, 1962, James Duncan Farley Jr. was born. He is an American businessman who is the CEO of Ford Motor Company.

November 2007: Joins Ford

In November 2007, Jim Farley joined Ford Motor Company after working at Toyota. Before joining Ford, Farley was group vice president and general manager of Lexus, responsible for all sales, marketing, and customer satisfaction activities for Toyota’s luxury auto brand.

2015: CEO and chairman of Ford Europe

From 2015 to 2017, Jim Farley was CEO and chairman of Ford Europe.

June 2017: CEO and chairman of Ford Europe

From 2015 to 2017, Jim Farley was CEO and chairman of Ford Europe. In June 2017, Farley was appointed executive vice president and president of global markets.

May 2019: Appointed President, New Business, Technology and Strategy

In May 2019, Jim Farley was appointed president, New Business, Technology and Strategy at Ford.

February 2020: Named as COO

In February 2020, Jim Farley was named as COO (Chief Operating Officer).

August 4, 2020: Farley to succeed Hackett as CEO

On August 4, 2020, Ford announced that Jim Farley would succeed Jim Hackett as the CEO of Ford on October 1, 2020. At the same time, it was announced that Hackett would retire and become a special advisor.

October 1, 2020: Farley becomes CEO of Ford

On October 1, 2020, Jim Farley succeeded Jim Hackett as the CEO of Ford. Jim Hackett retired and became a special advisor.

July 2021: Harley-Davidson Board of Directors

In July 2021, Jim Farley joined the Harley-Davidson board of directors in an effort to revitalize the motorcycle maker and prepare it for electrification.

July 2025: Prediction About Artificial Intelligence

In July 2025, Jim Farley predicted that "artificial intelligence is going to replace literally half of all white-collar workers in the U.S."

February 4, 2026: Elected to McDonald's board of directors

In February 2026, Jim Farley was elected to the McDonald's board of directors, effective February 4, 2026.

February 2026: Farley leaves Harley-Davidson board

Jim Farley was on the Harley-Davidson board of directors from July 2021 to February 2026. In February 2026, Farley was elected to the McDonald's board of directors, effective February 4, 2026.