Ford Motor Co. has tapped John Ruppert, its top fleet executive, to head up its commercial truck division, a Ford spokesman told Automotive Fleet on Monday.

In a related move, Ford appointed Fritz Ahadi as its new general manager of commercial and government operations to replace Ruppert. The moves became effective Monday.

"We've made a planned transition within the Ford North American Fleet, Lease and Remarketing Operations (NAFLRO) team that underscores our commitment to our customers and continuing Ford Commercial Vehicle leadership," Ford spokesman Mike Levine wrote in an email.

Ruppert moves into a role held by Len Deluca, who will become chairman of the Ford Dealer Policy Board. In his new role, Deluca will oversee a board that manages and arbitraes disputes between Ford and its dealers.

As the top fleet executive, Ruppert oversaw three regional sales managers — Megan Pallischeck, Al MacDonald, and Don Borthwick — and Tony Gratson, Ford's national government sales manager.

Ahadi has served as the marketing director of Ford Export & Growth, which provides marketing support for global vehicle sales. 

Ahadi led the team that provided marketing services supporting Ford’s business throughout the Middle East, parts of Africa, Asia, Puerto Rico and Central America. Ahadi has held senior management positions at Ford such as manager of U.S. sales operations, manager of U.S. revenue management, and several finance positions in the U.S. and Europe.

By Paul Clinton