Jan. 27, 2026, 12:07 p.m. ET
Ford Motor Co. named leadership for its new battery energy storage business, which is set to take over the shuttering BlueOval SK plant in Hardin County, Kentucky.
Lisa Drake will serve as president of Ford Energy, the company said, overseeing battery cell manufacturing, system assembly and sales.
Drake previously worked as vice president of technology platform programs and EV systems for Ford, “leading the industrial plan for batteries and electric propulsion engineering.”
“Her background in industrialization and purchasing will be central to operationalizing the new business unit,” according to the company, “which leverages Ford’s battery expertise and U.S. manufacturing footprint.”
The leadership announcement comes roughly six weeks after BlueOval SK ― a joint venture between Ford and South Korean company SK On ― announced plans to dissolve and terminate more than 1,500 workers.
The abrupt decision to shut down the company’s $5.8 billion electric vehicle battery operation in Glendale was paired with new plans from Ford: A subsidiary would take over the facility and repurpose it for production of battery energy storage systems, or BESS, involving a new investment of $2 billion and the hiring of 2,100 people.
Ford will begin hiring salaried employees for its new battery storage plant in early 2026 and hourly operators in early 2027, spokesperson Jess Enoch previously said.
“Some BlueOval SK employees will be offered opportunities at the new Ford subsidiary,” Enoch said. “Other BlueOval SK employees will have the opportunity to apply for jobs at the Ford subsidiary once it begins hiring.”
Utility-scale battery energy storage systems are used in conjunction with electricity generation to offer flexibility. The timing of peak power demand doesn’t always align with peak power production, including renewable resources like solar and wind. When the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, battery storage allows that energy to be dispatched to reliably meet demand.
Ford President and CEO Jim Farley previously described the pivot to battery storage as creating “a stronger, more resilient and more profitable Ford,” citing a change in “operating reality.” The broader electric vehicle industry has suffered a stark reversal of federal support under President Donald Trump’s administration, including the rollback of key incentive programs for EVs.
In her post over Ford Energy, Drake will lead a new business endeavor for the longtime automaker, driven by steep demand from utilities and industrial facilities, including data centers, for flexible and dispatchable power.
The company previously said it plans to begin shipping battery energy storage systems in 2027. It will also produce systems for residential customers.
“Ford Energy allows us to maximize the value of our battery manufacturing capabilities,” Drake said in a statement. “We’re building a business focused first on utility-scale battery energy storage systems for large customers while also offering battery cells for residential energy storage solutions.”
Connor Giffin is an environmental reporter for The Courier Journal. Reach him directly at cgiffin@courier-journal.com or on X @byconnorgiffin.
