JOHN J. "JACK" TELNACK
Title: Vice President Design (retired 1998)
Birth Date: April 1, 1937
Joined Ford: 1958

Jack Telnack was elected a corporate vice president to head Ford's global design organization in June 1987. Previously, he was chief design executive for Ford North American Automotive Operations. He headed the team that developed the company's aero look - a ground-breaking new concept of aerodynamic design embodied in the 1983 Ford Thunderbird, as well as the 1986 Taurus and Mercury Sable. Aero design played a major role in the sales success of Ford Lincoln- Mercury products in the '80s and '90s and has since been copied by nearly every automaker in the world.

The New York Times summed it up this way in 1987: "The aero look - with its sweeping lines and fuselage-like curves -- has made John J. Telnack one of the most influential designers Detroit has seen since Harley Earl introduced the 'Torpedo Look' in 1940... "

In the late 90s, Telnack's team introduced New Edge Design, an evolution of Aero Design in which a vehicle's soft, sculpted forms intersect in sharp lines that delineate its shape. The 1999 Cougar and Ford's European Ka and Puma are examples of his New Edge design, as are a series of concepts cars - including the GT-90, Lincoln Sentinel, Mercury MC4 and Mercury MC2 – that explore the application of his design philosophy. His Edge design philosophy continues to have a strong influence on many new vehicles both domestic and imports.

Telnack joined Ford as a designer in 1958 after graduating from Art Center College in Pasadena, California. As a designer in the Ford Division styling studio, he worked with vehicle design teams on a number of projects, including the original Ford Mustang. In 1965, he became head of Design for Lincoln-Mercury. He served as a chief designer of Ford of Australia from 1966 to 1969 and in 1974 became vice president of Design for Ford of Europe.

He was appointed as Executive Director of North American Light Car and Truck design in 1976 and became Executive Director of North American Mid-Size Car and Interior Design in 1978.
He has been the recipient of numerous design awards and was named Automotive Industries 1989 Man-of-the-Year. He is the recipient of honorary degrees from Pratt Institute, Parsons School of Design and the Art Center of Design. He also initiated the design theme for the 2002 Thunderbird.

Jack Telnack lives in Stuart Florida where he is consulting on marine, transportation, and environmental design. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Chris-Craft Boat Corporation. In addition to his continued passion for automobiles he enjoys sailing and deep-sea fishing.