Gerald J. Ford
Chairman and CEO, Diamond A-Ford

Chairman and CEO of Diamond A-Ford, Gerald J. Ford, details his recapitalization strategyfor troubled banks. Although his company managed to sidestep the recent banking crisis, Ford says the industry learned important lessons. What motivated the CEO to seek opportunities beyond his father’s West Texas auto body shop? Learn how the SMU alum was convinced to give $20 million to the stadium that bears his name.

Watch the episode:

Full Biography

Mr. Gerald Ford is one of the nation’s most accomplished financial services executives. He has acquired, managed and sold banking businesses and other financial services companies for over 35 years, including First United Bank Group, Inc., First Gibraltar Bank, FSB and Golden State Bancorp. Mr. Ford currently serves as Chairman of Hilltop Holdings Inc, which expects to complete its acquisition of PlainsCapital Corporation in 2012. He also is the Managing Member of, and the principal investor in, Ford Financial Fund, L.P., a private equity firm that owns a controlling interest in Pacific Capital Bancorp. Pacific Capital Bancorp is expected to be sold to UnionBanCal Corporation, a member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, in 2012.

Additionally, Mr. Ford is the principal shareholder of First Acceptance Corporation, a non-standard auto insurance company, and a Managing Member of, and the principal investor in, Ford Financial Fund II, L.P., a private equity fund. He also serves as a director of Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., McMoRan Exploration Company, Scientific Games Corp. and SWS Group, Inc.

He previously served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Southern Methodist University (S.M.U.) and currently serves as a trustee. As well, he is on the Executive Board of S.M.U. School of Law, as a trustee of Southwestern Medical Foundation and Children’s Medical Foundation, is a member of the Board of Overseers of Weill Medical College and Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University. Mr. Ford holds B.A. and J.D. degrees from S.M.U.