Ford’s former CEO is now on Google’s board of directors

Former Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally, who was reportedly vetted as a potential successor to Steve Ballmer at Microsoft, has joined Google’s board of directors. Google announced the addition today, but Mulally’s appointment was actually effective as of July 9th. He’ll serve on the company’s Audit Committee, according to a press release. “Alan brings a wealth of proven business and technology leadership experience,” said Larry Page, Google’s CEO, in a statement. “I am so pleased that Alan is now joining Google’s board!”

“I am honored to serve on the board of a global iconic company that is dedicated to enhancing our lives,” Mulally said. “I look forward to working together with the Google board and management team to continue to deliver their compelling vision.” Aside from nearly eight years spent as Ford’s leader, Mulally also put in a successful stint at Boeing. Despite rampant speculation that he was a leading candidate in Microsoft’s CEO hunt last year, Mulally eventually dispelled that possibility. “I would like to end the Microsoft speculation because I have no other plans to do anything other than serve Ford,” he said in January. But it didn’t take long for Mulally, who just retired from Ford on July 1st, to focus his attention on a new company.