Posted on 02/14/2007 3:32:34 PM PST by SmithL
NASHVILLE — Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. has been named a vice chairman and senior policy adviser at Merrill Lynch & Co., the biggest U.S. retail brokerage, the company announced today.
The 37-year-old Ford, who lost a narrow U.S. Senate race last year to Republican Bob Corker, will advise senior management on domestic policy issues, serve as a member of the company’s public policy committee and work on business development initiatives among other things, the company said.
He will maintain offices in Nashville and New York.
"We are delighted to have a dynamic, energetic visionary like Harold Ford join Merrill Lynch," Chairman and CEO Stan O’Neal said in a statement.
Ford, who represented Memphis in the U.S. House for a decade, is also serving as chair of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council after Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack stepped down to pursue a presidential bid.
In Congress, Ford served on the House Budget Committee and House Committee on Financial Services.
He holds a law degree from the University of Michigan and an American history degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
A message for Ford left with the DLC was not immediately returned, but Ford said in a statement announcing his new position that he was "thrilled" with his new affiliation.
"For generations, the Merrill Lynch brand has represented the path to economic opportunity for millions of Americans and citizens the world over," he said. "It’s a great tradition that I look forward to helping build on during my tenure with the firm."
Ford also has taken a teaching position at Vanderbilt University and has said he plans to work with Gov. Phil Bredesen on some initiatives in the state.
Junior is not going to starve ping.
Huh?
Just the Lynching of another black man in modern America...
Translation: He'll make a great shakedown artist in DC
And his qualifications are...?
Oh, he's a Dem.
He does not have a problem working for Merrill "Lynch"?
ML seems to guessing which way '08 will go.
Never been impressed with them - anyone remember Henry Blodget?
-PJ
Well, I'm glad I do not have any dealings with Merrill Lynch. Nor am I going to.
Hey, I'm a dynamic, energetic visionary too - where's my Wall Street gig?
Yet another reason I left there long ago.
Well ain't that special - Junior is "thrilled".
FYI
Holding pattern.
If Jr. is in charge of the Democrat leadership, is this not a conflict of interest?
None
Same qualifications as Chelsea getting six figures with no experience.
Is He Bringing the $100,000 COLD CASH with Him?
Great job for a guy who failed his bar exam...
SELL MERRILL LYNCH!
Ford, who is white on the outside but black in the inside gets the black votes. Obama black on the outside but white in the inside gets the white votes. Yes, it's a paradox, but a peferct ticket to the Dems.
Some Tennesseans believe he will run against Lamar Alexander for Senate in 2008 when Lamar's term is up.Maybe he wil go to NYC and stay there. God,we hope so down here!
Rahm Emanuel did the same thing..two years in finance..made about $15 mill..then back to politics..
Are you thinking of William Jefferson D-LA?
How disgusting- I wouldn't be surprised if Junior can't balance his check book. ML should lose clients from this nonsense.
ML has the right to do this but... if you are a client you must question their professional judgement.
I heard he's also going to lead the company Bible studies as well as organize the company bikini contest. LOL!
"I heard he's also going to lead the company Bible studies as well as organize the company bikini contest. LOL!"
I read that he will be involved in recruiting. Warn your daughters and neices before they attend the Merrill Lynch presentation at your local university.
I wonder what ML will have to say the next time Uncle John fires off a couple rounds through his moon-roof at some trucker on the interstate.
Back in the day, someone like Ford who was appointed to a high company position was known as the House [Expletive], but PC has made that title extinct.
I suppose this is payment for falling on the sword.
I do wonder if Merrill Lynch has a Tennscare HMO? If so the family is back in the Tennscare business.
Darn, I was hoping he would pass the bar exam and become a lawyer like John Edwards.
Darn, I was hoping he would pass the bar exam and become a lawyer like John Edwards.
ping
Tennscare?
I love it!
Ford, who is white on the outside but black in the inside gets the black votes. Obama black on the outside but white in the inside gets the white votes. Yes, it's a paradox, but a peferct ticket to the Dems.
 Obama |
 Ford |
Ford's about as black (and almost as slick) as the first black president.
If you don't know the origins and some of the strong armed tactics used by Blue Cross Blue Shield you wouldn't understand the name.
I could never trust a man who looks like the love child of Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.
Vice Chairman? I heard during the election he would get some post, but Vice Chairman??
Affirmative Action on steroids.
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