Alex Purdy is Head of Digital Product, Model e, Ford Motor Company, effective May 1, 2020. He is a member of Ford’s newly created Model e division led by Doug Field, chief advanced product development and technology officer, Ford Model, Ford Motor Company. The new organization is responsible for the Embedded Software and Hardware organization, driving the design, development, and implementation of the Blue Oval Intelligence tech stack for Ford, Lincoln and Ford Pro products.
In this role, Purdy is responsible for planning the digital products for customers, technologies and services for Ford’s embedded software and hardware portfolios. He brings to Ford an extensive background in technology and software products.
Prior to joining Ford, Purdy served as head of John Deere Labs and director of precision agriculture strategy and business development, where his efforts led to innovation in precision farming software applications including in automation and artificial intelligence. Purdy established Deere’s precision agriculture technology office in San Francisco, building a team and capabilities in AI, computer vision and advanced analytics. He was also the founder of John Deere Labs, John Deere’s first location in Silicon Valley.
Previously, Purdy was with the Boston Consulting Group and an investment banker with Scotiabank.
Purdy graduated in 2006 from University of Western Ontario, Richard Ivey School of Business with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Honors Business Administration. In 2010, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree with high distinction from Harvard Business School.