Organic Style Magazine Honors Escape Hybrid Director

By: Mike Thomas | Ford Communications Network

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 10, 2004 -- The editors of Organic Style magazine think Ford's Mary Ann Wright is tops. Wright has been chosen as one of the most influential people of the year as far as environmental achievements are concerned. She was honored for her work on the Escape Hybrid as Ford's director of Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs.

The magazine listed Wright in its Environmental Power List, which names 50 people who have made significant contributions that are both stylish and environmentally sound.

"In narrowing the list down to the top 50, we looked for those people who have made specific, concrete changes during the past few years -- sponsoring environmental legislation, fighting for our rights in court, protecting our children's health, raising money and taking action that influenced the behavior of millions," the Organic Style editors wrote. "Then the editors ranked those power players according to the scope and impact of their achievements and their ability to change the way we think and live. No matter where they fall on the list, all 50 crusaders are dynamos. Their stories prove that one person really can make a difference. All it takes is that first step."

2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Wright added, "On a personal note, I'm also a vegan and avid environmentalist at home. We recycle almost everything, compost and don't support products tested on animals or that use excess packaging."

In her current position, Wright is responsible for all present and future hybrid, fuel cell and alternative fuel technology development.

Wright began her career at Ford in 1988 and has held a variety of positions in Finance, Product and Business Planning and Engineering.

Wright launched the original Mercury Villager and Nissan Quest and was the launch manager for the 2000/2001 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. She then served as plant vehicle team engineering manager for the Taurus and Sable at the Atlanta and Chicago Assembly Plants.

In 2000, she joined Lincoln as chief engineer for luxury sedans and worked on several future Lincoln vehicle programs.

Wright holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Business from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Michigan and a Master of Business Administration degree from Wayne State University.

Kristen Stryker won the Environmental Prize from the Volvo for Life Awards. Also making the Environmental Power List was 18-year-old Kristen Stryker, winner of the Environmental Prize from the Volvo for Life Awards. Stryker was 15 years old when she started Help Others to Help Yourself, a program that hopes to raise self-esteem among young prison inmates in Ohio and Indiana by allowing them to grow produce and donate it to people in need.

The Volvo for life Awards honors ordinary people who go above and beyond the call of duty to help others in Volvo’s core areas of Safety, Quality of Life and Environment.