Mr. Ford served on the Board for more than half of the  company’s 102 years. As the only surviving grandson of  the late Henry Ford and father of the current chairman,  he uniquely links the company’s past and future. “My dad helped lead Ford into the modern  era and make us who we are,” said  Chairman and CEO Bill Ford. “His  institutional knowledge is an  incredible asset and his  love for the company is  unmatched. We will  continue to turn  to him for advice  and counsel.” Mr. Ford was elected to the  Board of Directors on June 4,  1948, and began his employment  with the company after graduating  from Yale University in 1949. Throughout  his career he oversaw the design and  development of a number of classic vehicles,  including the Continental Mark II, considered  by many to be one of the greatest cars ever built. In 1978, Mr. Ford was  elected chairman of the Executive  Committee and appointed a member  of the Office of the Chief Executive.  He was elected vice chairman of the  Board in 1980 and chairman of the Finance  Committee in 1987. He retired from his post as  vice chairman in 1989 and as chairman of the  Finance Committee in 1995. At the time of his  retirement, he served on the Finance Committee. Brothers (from left) Benson Ford,  William Clay Ford and Henry Ford II, with a model of the 1949 Ford. “Ford Motor Company has always been part of my life and I continue  to draw a lot of energy from this wonderful and exciting business,”  Mr. Ford said. “Leaving the Board will relieve me of formal  duties and give me more flexibility, but I will continue to help  the company and the Board in any way I can.” A t the March 2005 board meeting William Clay Ford announced  his intention to retire as a director after 57 years of service.  At the Board’s request, he was named Director Emeritus. 1 8