Harold Arthur Poling

Harold Arthur "Red" Poling (October 14, 1925 – May 12, 2012) was an American automobile businessman who was CEO and chairman of Ford Motor Company from 1990 to 1993.

Early life and education Poling was born October 14, 1925, in Troy, Michigan, and grew up in Fairfax, Virginia, in Northern Virginia. Poling began his post-high school education at Monmouth College in the U.S. Navy's V-12 program during World War II. He became the CEO and chairman in March 1990, and remained in that role until 1993. He made his mark at Ford's European operations in the late 1970s and was widely considered as a savior of the company in his stint as executive vice-president for North America in the early 1980s.

Personal life Poling married Marian Lee in 1957.

He served as the chair of the Monmouth College board of trustees.

Awards and honors In 1993, Poling was awarded the Lone Sailor Award by the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation for his naval career.

In 1999, Poling was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.