Fortune Brands names new Chief Digital Officer
Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. announced that May Russell has joined the company as its first-ever chief digital officer.
In the newly established role, Russell will lead the company’s digital strategy and digital transformation as well as enterprise information technology.
“May is an extremely talented executive with experience successfully leading enterprise-wide digital initiatives, and I am so pleased to welcome her to Fortune Brands,” said Nicholas Fink, CEO, Fortune Brands. “Our ability to attract an executive of her caliber speaks to the tremendous potential we have for digital transformation within our portfolio and throughout our business.”
Russell joins Fortune Brands from Ford Motor Company, where she most recently served as chief technology officer of Ford Commercial Solutions. In that role, she led an organization of over 2,000 digital professionals and had global responsibility for award-winning Ford and Lincoln apps, the digital consumer interface for all vehicles, and the digitization of fleet management.
Fortune recently announced an initiative to build digital excellence as the next core competency within its capabilities. Through this strategy, the company expects to enhance brand and innovation, accelerate growth and improve operating efficiency by bolstering its digital footprint and positioning itself to succeed in an increasingly digital environment.
"Our world is rapidly evolving, and the digitalization of business is gathering pace,” said Fink. “As an industry leader, and as a company that disrupts and innovates, we are embracing these changes and intend to make digital excellence a true competitive advantage for Fortune Brands. May's experience and vision makes her a great fit to drive this initiative."
Based in Deerfield, Ill., Fortune Brands’ portfolio includes Moen and the House of Rohl within the Global Plumbing Group; outdoor living and security products from Therma-Tru, LARSON, Fiberon, Master Lock, and SentrySafe; and MasterBrand Cabinets’ wide-ranging offerings from Mantra, Diamond, and Omega.