You’ve probably seen the name Barrett Evans floating around lately, and honestly, it’s usually attached to some pretty heated social media debates. One minute people are talking about his corporate strategy at Ford Motor Company, and the next, they’re dissecting a viral post about an airplane flight. It’s a lot to untangle.
Barrett Evans isn't just another name in the directory; he holds a heavy-hitter role as the Chief Learning Officer at Ford. This isn't some "fluff" HR position. He’s responsible for the development and "future-proofing" of a massive workforce—we’re talking about 170,000+ employees spread across 125 countries.
But why is everyone suddenly Googling him?
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Who is the man behind Ford’s learning strategy?
Before he landed at Ford in August 2021, Barrett Evans spent a significant chunk of his career—about 15 years—at Macy’s. He worked his way up there, eventually leading their Leadership Institute. If you look at his trajectory, it’s clear he’s obsessed with how people grow within big, old-school institutions. He’s a Bowling Green State University alum with a background in merchandising and marketing, which kinda explains why he views "learning" as a product that needs to be sold to employees, not just a mandatory slideshow they have to click through.
At Ford, his job is basically to make sure the company doesn't get left behind as the world shifts to electric vehicles (EVs) and software-defined cars. That requires a massive "upskilling" effort.
The controversy that wouldn’t go away
In April 2025, Evans found himself in the middle of a PR nightmare. It started with a post on Threads under his personal handle. He recounted a flight to San Diego where he noticed an elderly passenger watching Fox News for the entire duration of the trip.
He admitted his "filter was malfunctioning."
When the passenger and his wife used airport wheelchairs after deplaning, Evans reportedly mocked them, telling them it was great to see them "supporting DEI" (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). The implication was that services for the disabled are a form of DEI, which he saw as ironic given the passenger’s choice of news.
The internet did what the internet does. It exploded.
Critics called him "belligerent" and "smug," arguing that harassing senior citizens over their news preferences is a terrible look for a high-ranking executive. Others defended the sentiment but questioned the delivery. Ford was tagged in thousands of posts, with some users calling for his termination.
What Barrett Evans actually does at Ford
If we step away from the social media noise, his actual work at Ford is pretty technical. He’s been a big proponent of using AI and machine learning to tailor training programs. For example, he’s collaborated with platforms like Degreed to move toward a "skills-based" organization.
What does that even mean?
Basically, instead of hiring someone just because they have a specific degree, the system tracks the actual skills they have—like Python coding or high-voltage battery safety—and matches them to internal jobs. It’s a way to keep the 118-year-old company agile.
- Global Reach: Managing training for 170,000 people.
- Tech Integration: Pushing AI into the HR space.
- Legacy vs. Future: Balancing Ford’s 1913 English school roots with 2026 tech needs.
Why this matters for Ford's brand
The Barrett Evans situation highlights a bigger tension in corporate America. Executives are now public figures. Everything they say on a "private" Threads or X account can and will be linked back to the Blue Oval.
For Ford, a company that sells trucks to a very diverse political demographic, having an executive go viral for mocking a Fox News viewer is a delicate tightrope walk. It forces the company to balance its internal DEI goals with the reality of its customer base.
Practical takeaways for the curious
If you’re following this story because you’re interested in corporate leadership or just want to know if Ford is changing its culture, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Executive Presence is 24/7: In 2026, there is no such thing as a "personal" social media account for a C-suite or high-level exec.
- DEI is Expanding: Evans' argument that accessibility (like wheelchairs) is a part of DEI is factually correct in a corporate sense, even if the delivery in this specific case was controversial.
- Skills are the New Currency: Regardless of the headlines, the shift Evans is leading toward "skills-based" hiring is a massive trend across all of Big Tech and Manufacturing.
The story of Barrett Evans at Ford Motor is a mix of high-level corporate transformation and the messy, human reality of social media in a polarized world. Whether he continues to lead Ford’s learning initiatives long-term likely depends on how the company weighs his professional results against the brand friction caused by his online presence.
To stay updated on Ford’s executive changes, keep an eye on their official investor relations portal or the latest SEC filings, as major leadership shifts are always documented there first.
Actionable insights for professionals
- Audit your digital footprint: If you hold a leadership role, assume everything you post is a press release for your employer.
- Focus on upskilling: If you're in the automotive or tech sector, look into "skills-based" certifications rather than just traditional degrees.
- Separate the work from the person: When researching corporate figures, look at their white papers and summit speeches (like the ASU+GSV Summit) to understand their professional impact beyond viral tweets.