Former Ford Design Chief J Mays Joins Whirlpool

J Mays, who retired as Ford Motor Co.’s head of design in 2013, has been hired as chief design officer for Michigan-based appliance maker Whirlpool Corp.

Mays, 63, will begin his new assignment on Oct. 15. The company says his role will be to translate consumer insights, needs and wants into “next-generation product design concepts.”

Mays worked at Audi, BMW and Volkswagen. At VW, he penned concepts that became production versions of the Audi TT sports car and Volkswagen New Beetle.

He jointed Ford in 1997. There, he led the design teams for the 2004 F-150 pickup truck, 2005 Ford GT, 2008 Jaguar XF, 2010 Taurus large sedan and Mustang sport coupe, 2011 Fiesta supermini, 2012 Focus small sedan and 4013 Fusion midsize sedan.