Ford President Visits S.I.

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31007, 12 March 1966, Page 14

Ford President Visits S.I.

The president of the Ford Motor Company, Mr Ar jay R. Miller, arrived in Christchurch from the North Island yesterday. He flew to Mo’ nt Cook ir th' if' id ill

call at Christchurch again on Monday before flying to the North Island.

Mr Miller’s eight-day visit to New Zealand is to allow him to meet the management of Ford, New Zealand, inspect the company’s facilities at Lower Hutt and Wiri, and meet the company's dealers. He is also holding discussions with Government and business leaders.

Mr Miller, who is accompanied by his wife, spent three weeks in Australia before coming to New Zealand.

Mr Miller joined the Ford company in the United States after leaving the Army Air Forces after the Second World War. He served as director of the report and analysis department in the finance office until his election as assistant treasurer of the company in 1947. He became assistant controller in 1953, and controller later the same year. He was elected a vice-presi-dent of the company in 1957 and was elected to the board in 1962, being appointed vice-

president (staff group) about a month later. He was elected company president in 1963. Mr Miller is a director of the American Road Insurance Company, the Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Leasing Development Company and Philco Corporation. He is also a director of Ford Motor Company of Canada. He was born in Shelby, Nebraska, in 1916, and received his early education there. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1937, with highest honours.

He spent the next three years at the university as a graduate student and teaching fellow, and was employed with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco before entering the Army Air Force. At the conclusion of his service he held the rank of captain. Mr Miller was married in 1940 and has two children. He lives with his family in Michigan.