Ford Motor Company announced Paul Ballew as the first executive director and chief data and analytics officer for the automaker. Ballew’s role with Ford will be to “better understand consumer behavior and help speed development of the mobility, connectivity, and autonomous driving innovations.” Ballew ran Dun & Bradstreet’s global data and analytics and was formerly SVP for customer insight and analytics at Nationwide Insurance.

Ballew is responsible for “establishing an enterprise-wide vision for analytics and integrating all of Ford’s research, analytics, processes, standards, tools, and partner engagement.” He will report to EVP and CFP Bob Shanks.

More on this topic:

Ford Creates New Chief Data, Analytics Officer Position
WallStreet Journal, December 16, 2014

Ford Names Former Nationwide Exec to Lead Data
Insurance & Technology, December 16, 2014